Effective Methods for Environmental Justice Assessment (2004) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 226-244
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From page 226... ...
The FHWA and FTA have slightly different methods, and each can be used to evaluate distributive effects to protected populations. Results of both FHWA and FTA noise assessments commonly indicate the number of sensitive receptors (locations at which noise is measured)
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Due to the localized nature of noise impacts, it is often acceptable to evaluate the potential for effects to protected populations by assuming a maximum distance at which impacts could occur. This assumed distance can be used to perform a quick buffer analysis in a geographic information system (GIS)
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233 Sound level and the noise pattern (continuous, random, or repeated) all are important in characterizing nuisance levels.
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234 Leq(h) is most commonly used to evaluate project noise impacts.
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235 noise level is not at issue. Rather, the criteria recognize that significant increases in noise levels may have adverse effects in and of themselves.
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The demographic information must adequately characterize the activity spaces within which protected populations
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Initial evaluation Screening Project, corridor and system initial review to identify potential for noise effects In early planning stages and for initial environmental review or for evaluating projects with limited noise effects or with few nearby noise receptors Low Spreadsheet, knowledge of census data, GIS helpful 2. Highway project noise analysis Detailed Assess noise exposure levels from transportation projects Highway construction and operation noise effects must be evaluated in detail and there is potential for effects to protected populations High FHWA Transportation noise model, knowledge of demographic data, GIS helpful 3.
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Step 2 – Identify protected populations, affected land uses, and activities. Overlay the area of potential noise effects with demographic information and, if available, information on the location of sensitive receptors.
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The area of potential impact was defined based on such FTA criteria as census-block-group areas within 230 meters of the rail centerline. The block-group areas are categorized based on relative level of environmental justice concern, computed using the environmental justice index (EJI)
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The objective of these evaluations is to determine if more detailed and costly noise assessment is warranted. Desktop techniques or GIS buffer analysis can then easily be used to identify the potential for noise effects to protected populations.
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Thus, if the receptors are housing units, you multiply the number of housing units by the average persons per household and the minority and low-income population percentages reported for the block group in which they fall. Adding estimates of the number and
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This will demonstrate if the project is likely to generate noticeable increases in noise levels to protected populations and will also indicate the locations in which those increases may be expected. If premitigation distributive effects are identified, it is especially important to evaluate whether or not the mitigation options adequately reduce noise levels in areas of concern.
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In the case of this particular dataset, evaluation by number of persons does not show any disproportionate effects to protected populations. For other study areas, however, the reverse could be true.
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As the impact area and number of potential receptors increases, it may become necessary to rely on information such as census data to perform a study-area-wide evaluation, with follow-up data-gathering activities focused in areas where greater densities of protected populations are found. Results and their presentation.
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) N u m b e r o f p e rs o n s 0 0-25 26-35 36-40 46-50 Threshold of concern Mitigation required 41-45 51-60 5 10 15 20 25 Other population Protected population Figure 10-5.
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Pre- and postmitigation findings of environmental justice assessment • Identify the level of effects to protected populations. • Evaluate whether effects are equitable.
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For major capital investments, the general assessment provides the appropriate level of detail to compare alternative modes and alignments. It can be used in conjunction with established highway noise prediction procedures to compare and contrast highway, transit, and multimodal alternatives.
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It is relatively simple to combine results with protected population information to assess environmental justice for transit projects, although data collection may be time consuming in areas where environmental justice concern is high. If the project evaluation identifies an impact or severe impact, noise mitigation will need to be considered.
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249 available at http://www.hmmh.com. To access the report, follow the links to rail and transit noise, FTA guidance manual.
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