Noise

Georgia DOT measures potential noise impacts to residences, businesses, and other properties adjacent to the interstate. Residences and businesses that would realize a noise reduction of a least five decibels are referred to as “benefited receptors” and given the opportunity to vote either in favor or against the installation of noise barriers through a balloting process administered by Georgia DOT.

Noise Barrier Overview

Noise Impacts

Noise impacts occur when sound levels approach or exceed the federal Noise Abatement Criteria (NAC) for each land use category. Sound levels are measured in decibels, and in Georgia, noise is “approaching” NAC when it comes within one decibel below the criteria. The NAC for an outdoor area of frequent human use at a residential home is 67 decibels, meaning 66 decibels or higher is considered an impact. The NAC for an outdoor area of frequent human use at a business (such as a pool) is 72 decibels, meaning 71 decibels or higher is considered an impact. An impact also occurs if the proposed project increases sound levels by 15 decibels.

Noise Brochure Fact Sheet

Noise Information for Local Officials/Permitting for Development of Vacant and Undeveloped Lands

In accordance with 23 CFR 772.17, the Georgia Department of Transportation provides project future noise level information for vacant and undeveloped lands to local officials for use in compatible land use planning efforts.
Once a noise assessment for a proposed project has been accepted by GDOT’s Office of Environmental Services, the Office of Environmental Services will send notification by letter (or electronically by email) of estimated future noise levels for undeveloped lands on Type I projects to the local official (or their designee) within whose jurisdiction the highway project is located.
- The information provided will include at minimum, an estimation of future design year noise levels at various distances from the edge of the nearest travel lane of the proposed project where future noise levels are within 1 decibel of the corresponding exterior values shown in “Table 1 of 23 CFR part 772: Noise Abatement Criteria.” GDOT will assist local governments in accordance with 23 CFR 772.17, by providing them information that can help them to be aware of incompatible land uses near state highways. Examples of compatible land uses and incompatible land uses will be provided and disclosure will be made that no Type II program currently exists in Georgia.
As noted, please be aware that Georgia does not have a Type II program to construct standalone barriers without a qualifying Type I construction project. Please visit www.ecfr.gov (Title 23, part 772) for more information.

Standard Noise Barrier Textures and Aesthetic Treatments
(Concrete Barriers Only)

Noise Facts at a Glance

Noise studies are completed on qualifying federally funded projects such as: new through lanes or projects that significantly alter the horizontal or vertical alignment of the roadway or existing terrain.

The doubling of traffic on an existing roadway results in approximately a three decibel increase in noise levels. (A three-decibel increase is considered barely perceptible.)

Vegetation must be high enough, wide enough, and dense enough that it cannot be seen through to reduce noise. Therefore, vegetation is not considered a noise abatement/reduction option by the Federal Highway Administration.

The removal of trees along the interstate is considered maintenance and is not subject to a noise study or noise abatement/reduction consideration.

Noise Scale

Contacts

For additional questions relating to noise walls contact the following:
Georgia Department of Transportation
Office of Environmental Services – Noise Section
One Georgia Center
600 West Peachtree Street, NW
Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 631-1100

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