Laserfiche WebLink
CHAPTERFOUR Environmental Consequences and Mitigation <br />home or structure, installing four-quadrant traffic control devices at the grade crossing to create <br />"quiet zones," or purchasing and moving the residential property. <br />As mentioned in the previous chapter, the yellow shaded parcels are owned by CAM, and are not <br />considered for assessment of noise impacts. Any dwelling units that may currently exist on these <br />parcels are assumed to be unoccupied after the railroad is constructed. <br />CR M. 8 Grade Crossing <br />Noise mitigation is not required at this grade crossing location. The sensitive receptors R1, R3, <br />and R4 will experience a minor 3 dBA increase in noise, which is below the FTA criteria <br />requiring mitigation. Noise receptor R2 will experience an 8 dBA increase in noise, which <br />exceeds the FTA minimum of 5 dBA, for a total noise level of 60 dBA. To be considered for <br />mitigation, both the minimum increase and total noise levels must be equaled or exceeded. This <br />location does not exceed the 65 dBA total noise threshold, and therefore no mitigation is <br />required. <br />CR 10 Grade Crossing <br />Noise mitigation is required for receptor R 10 at this grade crossing location. When the railroad <br />passes the property and the horn is sounded, this location would experience a 12 dBA increase in <br />noise for a total noise level of 66 dBA. This location exceeds both the 5 dBA minimum noise <br />level increase and the 65 dBA total noise threshold. <br />Noise mitigation at this location should consider installing an earth berm, a concrete noise wall, a <br />combination earth berm/concrete wall; insulating the building with sound proof material; <br />installing afour-quadrant traffic control device at the grade crossing; or purchasing and moving <br />the residence. Receptors R5, R6, R7, and R9 would experience moderate noise impacts, but <br />would not exceed the 65 dBA criteria, when the horn is sounded up to 4 times a day. <br />Construction Noise <br />The contractor will take appropriate measures to reduce noise from construction equipment. <br />This will include the installation and maintenance of engine mufflers. To avoid noise impacts at <br />night, night-time construction may be curtailed in certain sensitive areas near residents. <br />Alternatives Carried Forward for Further Consideration <br />Alternatives were developed that could eliminate train horn noise. In addition to this noise <br />source, locomotive noise was studied. The coal train will increase noise levels in proximity to <br />the tracks. The horizontal distance from the center of the tracks to the severe noise impact limit <br />for non-horn railroad noise will vary slightly along the railroad route. This variation in distance <br />is due to the changes in background noise levels. <br />Grade-Separated Crossing at CR M.8 <br />This alternative would lessen noise impacts, as agrade-separated crossing at CR M8 would <br />eliminate train horn noise impacts, as the horn would not be sounded at the crossing. Noise <br />sources would be limited to locomotive and coal rail cars as the train passes through the area. <br />Residents located within a half mile radius of the grade-separated crossing may hear the train <br />noise, but the analysis determined that impacts to nearby residences would be below the <br />moderate or severe thresholds. <br />4-46 <br />DBMS 601 <br />