Public concern about noise led to federal legislation in 1970 that authorized the use of federal-aid highway funds for measures to abate and control highway traffic noise. The guidelines in the MoDOT Noise Policy are used to determine the need, feasibility, and reasonableness of noise abatement measures and provide the basis for statewide uniformity in traffic noise analysis.
Sound walls: The Why, When and Where with Road Construction brochure
The Federal Highway Administration regulations require MoDOT to:
- Identify traffic noise impacts and examine potential mitigation measures;
- Incorporate reasonable and feasible noise mitigation measures into its highway projects; and
- Coordinate with local officials to provide helpful information on compatible land use planning and control during the planning and design of a highway project.
