We have prepared a brochure to present very basic information on noise barriers to the layperson, i.e., to discuss the questions a person might normally ask about noise barriers. The brochure addresses the following 11 questions:

• What are noise barriers?

• When are noise barriers required?

• How is a noise barrier funded?

• How does a noise barrier work?

• What type of material is best for a noise barrier?

• How do people react to noise barriers?

• Are residents' views considered?

• Are motorists' views considered?

• Does construction of a noise barrier increase noise levels on the opposite side of the highway?

• Does construction of noise barriers on both sides of a highway increase noise levels?

• Can trees be planted to act as noise barriers?

We hope this material will be useful to FHWA field offices and State departments of transportation (DOTs). A file of the brochure is attached to this memorandum. Since hard copies of the brochure are useful for inclusion with correspondence or distribution in face-to-face meetings with customers, we are sending you (under separate cover) 50 copies of the brochure for your use and 50 copies of the brochure for forwarding to your State DOT. The brochure will also be available on our Home Page, www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/ab_noise.htm.

If you have questions or comments concerning the brochure or highway traffic noise in general, you may contact Bob Armstrong or Steve Ronning at (202) 366-2073 or (202) 366-2078, respectively.

Attachment

cc: Directors of Field Services