SR0082985_SSNL - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

4.6 – Noise Draft Environmental Impact Report February 2021 14800 W. Schulte Road Logistics Center 4.6-10 The nearest sensitive receptors to the Project site are the residential land uses approximately 1,500 feet northeast, approximately 3,000 feet southwest, and approximately 3,000 feet east, all located within unincorporated San Joaquin County. The nearest noise-sensitive land use within the City of Tracy is located approximately 3,300 feet east of the Project site. The Federal Highway Administration’s Roadway Construction Noise Model (RCNM) (FHWA 2008) was used to estimate construction noise levels at the nearest noise-sensitive land uses. Although the model was funded and promulgated by the Federal Highway Administration, the RCNM is often used for non-roadway projects because the same types of equipment used for roadway projects are also used for other project types. Input variables for the RCNM consist of the receiver/land use types, the equipment type and number of each (e.g., two graders, a loader, a tractor), the duty cycle for each piece of equipment (e.g., percentage of hours the equipment typically works per day), and the distance from the noise-sensitive receiver. No topographical or structural shielding was assumed in the modeling. The RCNM has default duty-cycle values for the various pieces of equipment, which were derived from an extensive study of typical demolition activity patterns (FHWA 2008). Those default duty-cycle values were used for this noise analysis. Using the Federal Highway Administration’s RCNM construction noise model and construction information (types and number of construction equipment by phase), the estimated noise levels from construction were calculated (summarized in Table 4.6-5). The RCNM inputs and outputs are provided in Appendix E-2. Note that these estimates are conservative because they do not account for any potential reduction in noise levels from topographical shielding, ground absorption effects, or atmospheric absorption. Table 4.6-5. Construction Noise Levels at Noise-Sensitive Uses Off-Site Receptor Location Estimated Construction Noise Levels (dBA Leq 8-hr) Exceed Significance Threshold (80 dBA Leq 8-hr) Site Preparation Grading Building Construction Paving Architectural Coating Nearest residence at 1,500 feet northeast 55 57 52 51 44 No Residence 3,000 feet southwest 49 51 47 46 38 No Residence 3,000 feet east 49 51 47 46 38 No Residence 3,300 feet east 48 51 47 45 37 No Source: Appendix E-2 Notes: dBA = A-weighted decibel; Leq = average noise energy level. As shown in Table 4.6-5, the highest noise levels from construction are predicted to occur at the nearest residences located northeast of the Project site, in unincorporated San Joaquin County, during the grading phase, when noise levels are estimated to be approximately 57 dBA Leq. This would be less than the ambient noise levels measured in the vicinity of these residences (as represented by measurements ST3 and ST4), where the noise levels were measured at approximately 58 dBA Leq. At residences located to the southwest and to the east, the highest estimated noise levels are also estimated to occur during grading, when noise levels are estimated to be approximately 51 dBA Leq. This noise level is relatively low, by community noise standards, and again would be less