The Volpe Center Acoustics Facility, in support of the Federal HighwayAdministration (FHWA) and the California Department of Transportation(Caltrans), has been conducting a study to quantify and assess the accuracyof FHWA's Traffic Noise Model (TNM) and make recommendations on its use. The TNM Validation Study involves highway noise data collection and TNMmodeling for the purpose of data comparison. Phase 1 of the study has beencompleted. For this phase, over 100 hours of traffic noise data werecollected at 17 highway sites around the country.

The Volpe Center Acoustics Facility (Volpe) in support of the Federal Highway Administration(FHWA) is conducting a multiple-phase study to assess the accuracy and make recommendations onthe use of FHWA's Traffic Noise Model (TNM). The TNM Validation Study involves highway noisedata collection and TNM modeling for the purpose of data comparison. In 2002, Volpe completedPhase 1 of the study. For this phase, over 100 hours of traffic noise data were collected atseventeen highway sites around the country. The seventeen sites included: open areas next tothe highway with acoustically soft ground...

Designing transportation systems that enhance mobility, economic opportunity, and community livability is a major challenge for many communities across the country.

The Roadway Construction Noise Model (RCNM) is the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) national model for the prediction of construction noise. Due to the fact that construction is often conducted in close proximity to residences and businesses, construction noise must be controlled and monitored to avoid impacts on surrounding communities. In addition to community issues, excessive noise can threaten a construction projects' progress. Each project needs to balance the community's need for peace and quiet with the contractor's need to progress the work.

The John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center Acoustics Facility (VCAF), in support of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Natural and Human Environment, has developed the Highway Construction Noise Handbook (the Handbook). The Handbook provides guidance to U.S. state transportation agencies in measuring, predicting, and mitigating highway construction noise and developing noise criteria. In order to help users predict construction noise, the Handbook includes the User's Guide for the FHWA Roadway Construction Noise Model (RCNM). This Handbook reflects substantial...

The Volpe Center Acoustics Facility, in support of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has been conducting a study to investigate the effects of using different ground types based on an improved understanding of the characteristics of the ground types defined in FHWA's Traffic Noise Model (TNM) version 2.5. This study also investigates the effects of using specific pavement types, as opposed to Average pavement, when the pavement type is known. The results of this study indicate that improvements in the correlation between predicted and measured results can be achieved by selecting the...

Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest (MBSNF) is located in close proximity to the Puget Sound metropolitan area in western Washington State. The Forest is facing a number of transportation issues, such as increasing congestion and decreasing availability of parking, which may negatively impact resources and visitors. The study is intended to assess transportation issues, and evaluate solutions for those issues, on and along the four major highway corridors through the MBSNF that offer winter and summer recreational opportunities: State Route (SR) 542, U.S. Route 2 (US-2), Interstate 90...

The FMCSA is proposing to revise its regulatory oversight of Mexico-domiciled Commercial Motor Carriers (CMC) through a series of four rulemakings. The purpose of the four proposed rules is to protect the health and safety of the general public, by ensuring that Mexico-domiciled CMC are willing and able to comply with United States requirements and by monitoring their compliance once they commence United States operations. The rules would be promulgated by FMCSA as part of a larger effort to assess and monitor the safety performance of Mexico-domiciled CMC operating in the United States. To...

A computer simulation of the manufacturing process of railroad car wheels is described to determine the residual stresses in the wheel following fabrication. Knowledge of, and the ability to predict, these stresses is useful in assessing the ability of wheels to perform safely under expected service conditions. A finite element analysis is performed which simulates portions of the processing sequence. A heat transfer analysis determines the transient thermal distribution during quenching. The mechanical (stress) analysis employs an elastic-plastic material model with kinematic hardening and...

This is Volume II-Appendices of Fatigue Crack Growth Behavior of Railroad Tank Car Steel TC-128B Subjected to Various Environments. This document contains miscellaneous supporting documentation, fatigue crack growth laboratory data, and analyses.