EPA-600/2 75 002
MARCH 1975
Environmental Protection Technology Series
Federal Surface Vehicle Noise
Research, Development, and
Demonstration Programs:
FY 73 - FY 75
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
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RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES
Research reports of the Office of Research and Development,
Environmental Protection Agency, have been grouped into five
series. These five broad categories were established to
facilitate further development and application of environmental
technology. Elimination of traditional grouping was consciously
planned to foster technology transfer and a maximum interface
in related fields. The five series are t
1. Environmental Health Effects Research
2. Environmental Protection Technology
3. Ecological Research
4. Environmental Monitoring
5. Socioeconomic Environmental Studies
This report has been assigned to the ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
TECHNOLOGY series. This series describes research performed
to develop and demonstrate instrumentation, equipment and
methodology to repair or prevent environmental degradation
from point and non-point sources of pollution. This work
provides the new or improved technology required for the
control and treatment of pollution sources to meet environmental
quality standards.
This report has been reviewed by the Office of Research and
Development. Approval does not signify that the contents
necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental
Protection Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial
products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
Document is available to the public through the National Technical
Information Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151.
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Report 600/2-75-002
March 1975
FEDERAL SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE RESEARCH,
DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS
FY73 - FY75
Prepared by
Interagency Surface Vehicle Noise Research Panel
Program Element No,
1GB090
Project Office:
Noise Technology Staff
Office of Research & Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
Prepared for
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development
Washington, D.C. 20460
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ABSTRACT
The Interagency Surface Vehicle Noise Research Panel was estab-
lished by the Environmental Protection Agency to aid EPA in fulfilling
its responsibility for coordinating the Federal noise research activi-
ties. As its initial task, the Panel prepared this report summarizing
the Federal governments' surface vehicle noise research, development,
and demonstration activities. The Federal agencies which sponsor and/or
conduct the major portion of the surface vehicle noise RD&D are repre-
sented on the Panel. They are the Department of Transportation, the
Department of Commerce/National Bureau of Standards, the Department of
Defense, and the EPA. Other agencies which sponsor surface vehicle
noise research are the Department of Agriculture and the National Science
Foundation. The report contains brief descriptions and fiscal data
for the agencies' programs. Emphasis is on fiscal years 1973 through
1975. Also included are references and bibliographies of reports and
publications which have resulted from the Federal surface vehicle RD&D
activities.
iii
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
ABSTRACT il:L
LIST OF TABLES vii
Sectlons
1. SUMMARY 1
2. INTRODUCTION 5
2.1 Background 5
2.2 Purpose 6
2.3 Scope 7
2.4 Surface Vehicle Noise Sources 7
3. FEDERAL SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE RD&D PROGRAMS 11
3.1 DOT Surface Transportation Noise Abatement Programs 11
3,1.1 Highway Noise Reduction Program 11
3,1.2 Urban Transportation Systems Noise 27
Reduction Program
3.1.3 Conventional Railroad and High Speed 29
Ground Inter-City Transportation Noise
Related Programs
3.2 DOD Surface Vehicle Noise Control Programs 31
3.2.1 TACOM Surface Vehicle Noise Reduction 35
Program
3.2.2 MERDC Noise Reduction Program for 3?
U.S. Army Construction Vehicles
3.3 EPA Surface Vehicle Noise RD&D Programs 42
3.3.1 Support of Regulation's Development 42
3.4 U.S.D.A. Surface Vehicle Noise RD&D Programs 46
3.4.1 Forest Service Programs 46
3.4.2 Cooperative State Research Service 48
Program (CSRS)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont'd)
PAGE NO,
\
3.5 NSF Surface Vehicle Noise Research 48
3.6 NBS Surface Vehicle Noise RD&D 50
4. ANALYSIS OF THE FEDERAL SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE RD&D 53
ACTIVITIES
4.1 Highway Vehicle Noise Control Technology RD&D 55
4.2 Railway Vehicle Noise Control Technology RD&D 55
4.3 Off-Highway Vehicle Noise Control Technology RD&D 55
4.4 Systems Studies of Surface Vehicle Noise 59
4.5 Noise Regulation and Enforcement Research Programs 59
4.6 Advanced Surface Vehicle Systems Development Programs 59
5. REFERENCES AND4BIBLIOGRAPHY 63
6. APPENDICES 73
Appendix A - Surface Vehicle Noise Research Panel Members 75
Appendix B - Information Requested by EPA on the Federal 77
Noise RD&D Programs and Projects
Appendix C - Glossary of Acronyms 37
Appendix D - NBS Research on Surface Vehicle Noise 89
vi
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TABLES
NO. PAGE NO,
1.1 Summary of the Federal Surface Vehicle Noise 2
RD&D Programs
2.1 Structure of EPA Research Panels 5
2.2 Comparison of Typical Noise Levels for Surface 8
Vehicles
2.3 Subsources of Noise for Typical Surface Vehicles 10
3.1 Summary of DOT Highway Noise Reduction Program 12
3.2 Summary of DOT Urban Transportation Systems 14
Noise Reduction Program
3.3 Summary of DOT Conventional Railroad and 15
Intercity High Speed Systems Noise Related
Programs
3.4 Quiet Truck Program Noise Control Goals and 16
Accomplishments
3.5 Field Service Evaluation by Line Haul Carriers 17
3.6 Sound Levels of Basic Exhaust Systems 18
3.7 Summary of DOD/TACOM Conformance with Regulatory 32
Requirements Program
3.8 Summary of DOD/TACOM Vehicle Signature Program 33
3.9 Summary of DOD/MERDC Noise Reduction Program 34
for U.S. Army Construction Vehicles
3.10 Summary of Military and Commercial Noise 35
Standards
3.11 Summary of EPA Surface Vehicle Noise Research 44
Activities
vii
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TABLES (Cont'd.)
NO. PAGE NO,
3.12 Summary of USDA Surface Vehicle Noise 47
RD&D Programs
3.13 Summary of NSF Surface Vehicle Noise Studies 49
3.14 Summary of NBS Surface Vehicle RD&D Sponsored 51
through Interagency Agreements
4.1 Summary of Federal Surface Vehicle Noise RD&D 54
Activities
4.2 Federal Control Technology RD&D Programs for 56
Highway Noise Sources
4.3 Federal Control Technology RD&D Programs for 57
Railway Noise Sources
4.4 Federal Control Technology RD&D Programs for 58
Off-Highway Vehicle Noise Sources
4.5 Federal Systems Studies of Surface Vehicle 60
Noise
4.6 Federal Research Programs Identified with 61
Noise Standards and Regulations Enforcement
4.7 Federal RD&D of Advanced Surface Vehicle 62
Systems: Transportation
viii
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1. SUMMARY
In partial fulfillment of its responsibility for coordinating
Federal noise research, the Environmental Protection Agency has
established an interagency Surface Vehicle Noise Research Panel. The
Panel membership includes Federal representatives from the Department
of Transportation, the Department of Commerce (National Bureau of
Standards), the Department of Defense, the Department of Housing and
Urban Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency. With the
exception of HUD these agencies sponsor and conduct the vast majority
of the surface vehicle noise research, development and demonstration
(RD&D) activities in the Federal Government. Other Federal agencies
known to be sponsoring surface vehicle noise research, are the U.S.
Department of Agriculture and the National Science Foundation. In
addition, this Panel has been charged with the responsibility for
addressing the Federal research supporting land use policies.
The initial task of this panel was the preparation of a report on
the Federal Government's surface vehicle noise RD&D and land use related
research activities. This report, however, will only address the Federal
surface vehicle RD&D activities as no Federal research programs reported
were specifically identified with land use. The report reflects the
views of the panel members as experts in the field and does not neces-
sarily represent the policies or viewpoints of the agencies represented.
Table 1.1 is a summary of the major surface vehicle noise research
programs being sponsored by the Federal Government. The total noise
dedicated resources are shown to peak at $3,374,000 in FY 1974. How-
ever, it should be noted that the resource commitments for FY 1975 are
known to be incomplete, and resources allocated to noise for research
programs not dedicated to noise and for DOT in-house research are not
included in any of the fiscal year data.
The DOT is the principal Federal agency sponsoring surface vehicle
noise RD&D. These activities are primarily concerned with transportation
systems and are associated with three major programs. They are Highway
Noise Reduction, Urban Transportation System Noise Reduction, and
Conventional Railroad and Intercity High Speed Systems. With emphasis
being control of highway noise, the major efforts have concentrated on
the control of heavy duty truck and bus noise. Future research efforts
emphasize truck tire and engine mechanical and combustion noise.
Although the DOT resource allocations to reduce noise from urban
transportation and conventional and high speed railway transportation
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SPONSORING
AGENCY
DOT
DOD/ARMY
EPA
USDA
NSF
Table 1.1 SUMMARY OF THE FEDERAL SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE RD&D PROGRAMS
FISCAL YEAR FUNDING ($1.000)
DESCRIPTIVE TITLE OF PROGRAM
Highway Noise Reduction
Urban Transportation System Noise
Reduction Program
Conventional Railroad & Intercity
High Speed Systems
TOTAL DOT
Conformance with Regulatory Requirements
Vehicle Signature Reduction
Noise Reduction Program for U.S. Army
Construction Vehicles
TOTAL DOD/ARMY
Interstate Motor Carriers
Interstate Rail Carriers
New Medium & Heavy Duty Trucks
TOTAL EPA
Reduction of Vehicle (snowmobile) and
Equipment Noise Levels
The Use of Trees and Shrubs in Noise
Abatement
Noise & Vibration of Off-Road Equipment
TOTAL USDA
Effects of Building and Other Boundaries on
Motor Vehicle Noise
Noise and Vibration from Transportation
Vehicles and Other Machinery
TOTAL NSF
TOTAL FEDERAL EFFORT $2,166 $3,211 $3,374
PRIOR TO 1973 1973
2,066 1,798
(1) 356
(1) (1)
2,066 2,154
215
100 100
369
100 684
170
199
369
4
4
on
1974 (est) 1975 (2)
1,429 935
577 (1)
150 200
2,156 1,135
270
95
300 160
665 160
178
178
25 39
20
28
73 39
30
272
302
$1,334
(1) Resources for inhouse research and noise portions of advanced transportation systems development are not included.
(2) FY -75 estimates are known to be incomplt.ce.
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systems are not specifically identifiable from within total development
funding, significant noise research efforts are underway in these non-
noise dedicated programs. The emphasis is in the development of future
mass transportation systems. As such, noise is only one of many factors
being considered and is often addressed as a design specification.
The DOD/Array has three RD&D programs concerned with surface vehicle
noise control. They are the Conformance with Regulatory Requirements,
Vehicle Signature Reduction Program, and the Noise Reduction Program
for U.S. Army Construction Equipment. These programs are funded by the
U.S. Army Tank Automotive Command (TACOM) and the U.S. Army Mobility
Equipment Research and Development Center (MERDC) and address highway
and off-highway military vehicles. The TACOM Conformance with Regulatory
Requirements program is directed toward reducing interior and exterior
noise levels of all tactical type military vehicles to meet military
and commercial noise standards. The MERDC Noise Reduction Program for
U.S. Army Construction Equipment was initiated as a result of the low
noise exposure level requirements established by the Army Surgeon General
and is concerned with the control of noise from both stationary and vehic-
ular construction equipment. The TACOM Vehicle Signature Reduction pro-
gram is concerned with reducing the noise signature detectability of
military vehicles for combat purposes. Portions of this program are
classified. Although no other DOD surface vehicle research programs
were identified, there is evidence that other pertinent noise reduction
programs are being sponsored by DOD, particularly by the Navy on water-
craft. DOD plans to continue a similar effort during the fiscal year
1975-78 period.
The EPA identified three surface transportation research programs
which were sponsored in FY 1973 and 1974 to support the Interstate
Motor Carrier, Interstate Rail Carrier, and New Medium and Heavy Duty
Trucks regulations. These studies generally involved the determination
of the population impacted by the noise source to be regulated, best
available noise control technology, costs for compliance with the
proposed regulations, and measurement methods for enforcing the regu-
lations.
The USDA sponsors surface vehicle noise research through the
Forest Service and the Cooperative State Research Service. These pro-
grams are concerned with control of off-road vehicle noise and the use
of trees and shrubs to abate noise. Only the off-road vehicle noise
control research activities of the Forest Service are planned to con-
tinue into the future. The Cooperative State Research Service will
continue to support noise research proposed by individual scientists
and engineers based on scientific and engineering merits.
The NSF sponsors noise research based upon the merits of unsolicited
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proposals. Currently, there are two NSF research grants specific to
surface vehicle noise. They are entitled "The Effects of Building and
Other Boundaries on Motor Vehicle Noise" and "Noise and Vibration from
Transportation Vehicles and Other Machinery." A third grant entitled,
"Basic and Applied Studies of Noise," has a minor portion of the study
addressing sound generation by automotive tire designs.
The total Federally sponsored surface vehicle noise research
activities can be classified into the following six research categories:
highway vehicle noise control technology, railway vehicle noise control
technology, off-highway vehicle noise control technology, noise system
studies, noise regulations development and enforcement, and advanced
systems development. For noise dedicated activities, the emphasis in
the Federal efforts has been roughly equal between highway vehicle
noise control technology development and noise regulations development
and; enforcement. In these areas the principal efforts have been control
of heavy truck and bus noise. However, there is a significant Federal
effort addressing noise generated by off-highway vehicles, principally
those used in construction. Although not dedicated to noise, there
are also major Federal programs (exclusively DOT) to develop advanced,
future mass transportation systems which give significant attention to
noise control and have potential applications to conventional systems.
Total resource distributions for these categories are given in Table A.I,
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2. INTRODUCTION
2.1 BACKGROUND
Early in 1974 the Office of Research and Development of the
Environmental Protection Agency invited Federal government agencies
concerned with noise pollution research to designate representatives
of their technical staff to serve as members on four noise research
panels: aircraft, surface vehicles, machinery, and health effects.
The requested agency representation on the panel is shown in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1 STRUCTURE OF EPA RESEARCH PANELS
Noise Research Panel
Current Agency Membership
Aircraft
NASA, DOT, DOD, HUD, DOC, EPA
Surface Vehicles*
DOT, HUD, DOD, DOC/NBS, EPA
Noise Effects
HEW, (NINDS, NIOSH, NIEHS), DOT
NSF, HUD, NASA, DOD, DOL
DOC/NBS, EPA
Machinery
HEW/NIOSH, DOL, DOI/Bureau of
Mines, NSF, DOD. DOC/NBS,
EPA
*This panel was also charged with the responsibility for the Federal
research supporting land use policies.
These panels were convened to provide the means for interagency
coordination of research in the four technical areas. In addition to
exchange of information the functions of the panels in their respective
areas are:
Review and assessment of the current state of technology.
Review and assessment of the status of research and technology
development.
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• Preparation of recommendations concerning ongoing research
activities.
• Recommendation of noise research programs and projects, and
methods for their accomplishments.
o Preparation of reports on the status and/or progress of on-
going noise research activities.
• Receipt and review of pertinent scientific and programmatic
advice from communicating with other standing bodies.
The names and addresses of the Surface Vehicle Noise Research Panel
members are listed in Appendix A.
2.2 PURPOSE
Each of these panels of experts has met to charter its course of
action as a consultative body, and it was agreed that each panel would
generate a report on the Federal noise research, development, and demon-
stration (RD&D) activities and the noise research needs in the specific
area of consideration by the panel. To prepare the report, the EPA
requested each of the panel members to provide information on their
agency's noise RD&D activities. With the request EPA offered an example
of the type of information desired but indicated that the information
could be provided in a form most convenient to the agency (i.e. their
agency's project and program information forms or over-views). Appendix
B contains a copy of the EPA example and the program and project infor-
mation desired.
This report is the first to be prepared by the Surface Vehicle Noise
Research Panel. Its purpose is to present a description of Federally
supported RD&D which is directed toward control of noise problems attrib-
utable to surface vehicles or support of Federal land use policy develop-
ment. This document will be used by the Environmental Protection Agency
in preparing a report to satisfy Section 4(c)(3) of the Noise Control
Act of 1972. EPA is required to report on the status and progress of
Federal activities relating to noise research and noise control and the
contribution of such activities to the Federal Government's overall
efforts to control noise. The panel report is a digest and analysis of
information provided by the Federal agencies involved in surface vehicle
noise RD&D. The report reflects the collective opinions of the panel
members and does not necessarily represent the policy or viewpoints of
the respective agencies.
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2.3 SCOPE
In the current Federal effort most surface vehicle noise RD&D on
surface transportation systems is being sponsored by the Department
of Transportation. Other agencies sponsoring research on surface vehicle
noise are the Department of Defense/Army, the National Science Foundation,
the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
There were no Federal research programs identified which were specifically
concerned with land use policy development.
In presenting the current Federal activities, emphasis has been
placed on the RD&D activities in FY 1973 and 1974. Previous efforts and
future projections for major programs are also presented where such
information was provided. Fiscal data reported is accurate as of July,
1974, but may not reflect the complete resources available for each
program or project. This is principally because resources allocated to
salaries, equipment, and other services for in-house studies have not been
reported by all of the agencies. Because of FY 1974 carryover money,
the FY 1974 resource allocations are best estimates in many cases. For
FY 1975, not only are the resources identified estimates in
most cases, but some detailed program and project planning is not
complete. Therefore, the FY 1975 resource estimates are also incomplete.
Although it is probably unavoidable to emit some related Federal activ-
ities, it is the consensus of the panel members that no major Federal
research programs in the area of surface vehicle noise have been over-
looked.
The program and project descriptions of the Federal surface vehicle
noise KD&D are presented in Section 3 by agency. In Section 4 the
current programs are briefly analyzed and grouped into the categories
of specific surface vehicle noise control technology development, noise
systems studies, research directly supporting regulations development
and enforcement and advanced transportation systems development.
2.4 SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE SOURCES
Surface vehicles include mobile systems used in transportation,
construction, defense, recreation, and agriculture. These systems can
generally be classified according to three all inclusive noise source
categories. They are highway vehicle noise, railway vehicle noise,
and off-highway vehicle noise. The relative noise levels associated
with these sources of surface noise are illustrated in Table 2.2.
Noise emitted from these sources, however, is derived from the compo- .
nents of the source, the vehicle's subsources. Table 2.3 illustrates
the contribution of the subsources to the total noise levels emitted
by diesel trucks, motorcycles, and snowmobiles.
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Table 2.2 COMPARISON OF TYPICAL NOISE LEVELS FOR SURFACE VEHICLES (1)
CATEGORY Average Noise Levels (2)
(dB(A) at 15.24 Meters (50'))
HIGHWAY VEHICLES
Medium and Heavy Duty Trucks 84 (88)
Motorcycles (Highway) 82 (88)
Utility and Maintenance Vehicles 82 (88)
Highway Buses 82 (86)
Sports Cars 75 (8fi)
City and School Buses 73 (85)
Light Trucks and Pickups 72 (86)
Passengers Cars (Standard) 69 (84)
RAIL VEHICLES
Locomotives 94
Passenger Trains 85
Rapid Transit 87
Trolley Cars (Old) 80
Trolley Cars (New) 66
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES
Recreational
Motorcycles 85
Snowmobiles 85
Inboard Motorboats 80
Outboard Motorboats 80
(Continued)
8
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Table 2.2 (Con't.)
CATEGORY Average Noise Levels (2)
_ (dB(A) at 15.25 Meters
Construction
Trucks 88
Scraper 88
Dozer 87
Concrete Mixer 85
Paver 89
(1) The average noise levels reported in Table 2.2 were obtained from
an unpublished EPA contractor report entitled "Rationale for the
Identification of Major Noise Sources" Table A-l. The values were
originally obtained from EPA document NTID 300.13, December 31,
1971, and HUD Departmental Circular 1390.2, August 1971.
(2) Values in parentheses are typical for maximum acceleration. All
other values are normal cruising speeds. Variations of 5dB can
be expected.
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Table 2.3 SUBSOURCES OF NOISE FOR TYPICAL SURFACE VEHICLES
Typical Noise Levels
(dB(A) at 15.24 Meters (50'))
Subsource
Engine Mechanical &
Combustion
Exhaust
Air Intake
Cooling Fan
Tires
Track
Total
Diesel (1)
Trucks
78
85
75
82
75
(95)
-
88
(96)
Motorcycles (2)
78
86
82
-
69
-
88
Snowmobiles (2)
76
82
85
80
-
72
88
(1) Values in parentheses are for trucks operating above 35 mph, source
of information: Close, W.H., DOT Truck Noise Reduction Program,
Internal DOT Description Document.
(2) The noise levels indicated for these sources were obtained from
EPA document NTID 300.13, December 31, 1971.
10
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3. FEDERAL SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE RD&D PROGRAMS
3.1 DOT SURFACE TRANSPORTATION NOISE ABATEMENT PROGRAMS
There are three major DOT noise research programs. They are
entitled the Highway Noise Reduction Program, the Urban Transporta-
tion Systems Noise Reduction Program, and the Conventional Railroad
and Intercity High Speed Systems. The sub-program tasks, projects
and fiscal data associated with these programs are listed in Tables
3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 respectively. The tables indicate that the major
noise dedicated efforts are in highway noise reduction. Significant
noise RD&D activities are identified in the other two programs but
generally noise is only one of several considerations. Many of these
latter activities are associated with the development of advanced,
future mass transportation systems. Brief descriptions of these
programs and their component projects are contained in the following
sections.
3.1.1 Highway Noise Reduction Program
Since 1970 the Department of Transportation has been actively
engaged in a multifaceted effort to reduce the impact of noise gen-
erated by heavy duty trucks and buses upon the community adjacent
to the nation's public highways. The results of this program to
date are numerous and further information is forthcoming. Pertinent
reports developed under this program are available and reflect the
degree of noise reduction achievable through the application of the
best available technology considering cost of compliance.
Summary description documents (references 1,2) have been pre-
pared which set the DOT program of truck noise reduction into per-
spective and delineate the plans for and accomplishments of the program
realized as of late 1972. Since that time the program has developed
according to the plan, but with some expansion of efforts.
Quiet Truck Program - An investment of approximately $1.25 mil-
lion dollars has been made on three DOT contracts with the Freight-
liner Corporation, International Harvester Co., and the White Motor
Co. to develop and demonstrate the lowest practical noise levels
achievable on selected heavy duty diesel powered truck tractors.
11
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Descriptive Title
Quiet Truck Program
Exhaust/Intake Mufflers
Truck Noise Handbook
Construction Equipment
Mufflers
Engine Noise Support
Truck/Bus Retrofit
Basic Engine Noise
Reduction
In-Cab Noise Tests
Truck Tire Noise Study
Truck Tire Noise Basic
Research
Highway Noise Enforcement
Training & Equipment
Roadside Enforcement
Sites
BMCS Training/Equipping
NCHRP Project III
(highway noise models)
Table 3.1 SUMMARY OF DOT HIGHWAY NOISE REDUCTION PROGRAM
Fiscal Year Funding ($1.000)
Prior •
Investigator (s)
Prior to
1973
Freightliner 1,046
International Harvester
Co.
White Motor Co.
Donaldson Co. 75
Stemco Manufacturing Co.
Cambridge Collaborative
Vehicle Research Institute
Bureau of Mines/DOI
General Motors
PACCAR
International Harvester
Rohr Industries
McDonnel-Douglas Co.
Not specified
In-House & -
National Bureau of
Standards
National Bureau of 468
Standards
North Carolina 0ni- 119
versity
California Highway -
Patrol
Not specified
Not specified
Bolt, Baranek, & 120
Newman
1973
100
28
15
80
450
100
450
120
1974 (est.)
100
20
50
40
72
245
100
150
70
100
180
1975 (est.)*
245
200
250
50
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Table 3.1 (Cont'd)
Fiscal Year Funding ($1.000)
OJ
Descriptive Title
Magnitude of Transportation
Noise Generation and
Abatement
Scale Modeling Highway
Noise
Scale Modeling Urban
Traffic Noise
Development of Highway
Noise Standards PPM-2
PPM 90-2 Training Manual
Course
FHWA Highway Design
Manual
Construction Equipment
Standards
Highway Barrier
Effectiveness
Acoustic Material
Applications
Barrier Parametrics
Traffic Noise Study
Community Noise Study
Passenger Car Tire Noise
Investigator (s)
Serendipity
Ling-Temco-Vought
Massachusetts Institute
of Technology
In-house
Bolt, Baranek, & Newman
Urban Systems
California Division of
Highways
California Division of
Highways
Bolt, Baranek, & Newman
In-House
State of Maryland
State of New Jersey
In-House and State
of Colorado
TOTALS
Prior to
1973
79
57
43
43
16
2,066
1973
112
132
54
90
7
37
20
3
1,798
1974 (est.)
80
115
50
37
20
1,429
1975 (est.)*
80
110
+
935
* FY 75 estimates known to be incomplete
Primary in-house funds
•*• rrimary m-nuuac iuu.uo
++ Not dedicated to surface vehicle noise, noise resources not available
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Table 3,2 SUMMARY OF DOT URBAN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS NOISE REDUCTION PROGRAM
Descriptive Title
Transit Bus Noise Reduction Potential
Purchase Specifications - Transit
Coaches
TRANSBUS Program
Personal Rapid Transit Program
Dual Mode Program
Rapid Transit Systems Noise
Environment
New York City Transit System Study
Chicago Transit Authority Study
Other Transit Authority Study
Wheel/Rail Noise & Vibration Study
Elevated Structures Noise & Vibration
In Service Noise Abatement Test &
Evaluation
New System's Specifications -
Capital Grants
State-of-the-Art-Car
Screech Loop - Pueblo Facility
Investigator(s)
WMATA
MITRE
Not specified
Not specified
Not specified
In-House
PINY
University of Illinois
Not specified
Bolt, Baranek, & Newman
Cambridge Collaborative
Not specified
Not specified
Not specified
In-house
Fiscal Year Funding ($1.000)
Prior to 1973
1973
26
184
146
TOTALS
* FT 75 estimates known to be incomplete
+ Primary in-house funds
•H- Not dedicated to noise, noise resources not available
+
356
1974 (est.)
22
1975*
125
60
120
250
577
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Table 3.3 SUMMARY OF DOT CONVENTIONAL RAILROAD AND
INTERCITY HIGH SPEED SYSTEMS NOISE RELATED PROGRAMS
Descriptive Title
Measurement of Railroad
Joint DOT/AAR Railroad Noise Research
Linear Induction Motor Research Vehicle
Magnetical Levitated Research Vehicle
Tracked Air Cushion Research Vehicle
Prototype Tracked Air Cushion Vehicle
TOTALS
Fiscal Year Funding ($1.000)
Prior to 1973
+
1973
1974 (est.)
150
1975*
200
-H-
150
200
* FY 75 estimates known to be incomplete
4- Primarily in-house funds
4- rmary n-ous
-H- Not dedicated to noise, noise resources not available
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In the general work statement (reference 3) for the "Quiet Truck
Program" the contractors were obliged to establish their own contract
target noise level limits for each of the two truck configurations to
be evaluated. Listed below is a table of goals proposed by each of the
contractors (which became part of the contracts) and results of the
contract research to date.
Table 3.4 QUIET TRUCK PROGRAM NOISE CONTROL GOALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Contractor Goals* Accomplishments*
Freightliner (1) 75-78dB(A) 72dB(A)
International (1) 75-78dB(A) 77-78dB(A)
(2) 78-80dB(A) 79-80dB(A)
White Motor Co. (1) 75-78dB(A) 77dB(A)
(2) 81-83dB(A) 79dB(A)
*Maximum sound level per SAE J366a test
(1) Enclosed engine version
(2) Unenclosed engine version
Two reports (references 4,5) of the many to emanate from this pro-
ject have been completed. In anticipation of the demand for public in-
formation on these efforts, technical sessions at two professional society
meetings were arranged in which the summary findings of the project could
be conveyed to the public prior to completion of the detailed DOT project
reports. Papers were presented at the Society of Automotive Engineers
(SAE) National West Coast Meeting (references 6,7,8) in August of 1973,
at Noise Con 73 (references 9,10,11,12,13) in October 1973, and at Inter-
Noise 74 (reference 14).
16
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A number of detailed reports are presently in preparation to
delineate the specific tests, design considerations, operational
implications, and costs associated with the development of these quieted
trucks. In addition, nine trucks, as indicated below, are currently in
field service evaluation with line haul carriers to proof test the
noise reduction concepts and verify the estimates of operational and
cost implications.
Table 3.5 FIELD SERVICE EVALUATION BY LINE HAUL CARRIERS
Contractor Number of Trucks Operator
Freightliner 1 Mid American Lines
International 4 Ryder Truck Lines
White 1 Overnite Transport
White 3 Carolina Lines
Following approximately one year of service evaluation on each
truck, final reports will be prepared and published to document the
experience gained in line haul service of the quieted trucks as compared
to comparable production trucks. Completion of the service evaluation
will occur in July of 1974 for the first trucks and February 1975 for the
last trucks introduced into service.
As a further adjunct to this program, the International Harvester
contract has been expanded to encompass fleet testing of 24 different
installations of "demand" fan drives. This will provide an extensive
evaluation of the duty cycle of such fan-noise obviation and energy sav-
ing installations in service across the country. Reference 15 is a list-
ing of the 23 installations currently under test.
Exhaust/Intake Muffler - Rather than rely solely on long term
future solutions to the problems of truck noise, the DOT also undertook
a series of closely related efforts to produce information upon which
near term decisions could be based: (1) for new product standards;
and (2) for retrofitability of noise reduction components to current
fleets of trucks and transit coaches powered by the popular diesel
engines.
The first contracts in this effort were intake and exhaust muffler
performance evaluation tasks. The Donaldson Co. and the Stemco Manu-
facturing Co. were awarded parallel contracts to acquire and evaluate
available intake air cleaners and mufflers for acoustic performance and
to document cost and ancillary performance effects (pressure restriction,
17
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Sound Level dB(A)
NHC-250
95
96.0
75.0
81.0
NTC-350
93
79.0
79.5
80.0
6-71
105
78.0
78.0
81.0
8V-71
104
82.0
80.0
80.0
81.0
81.5
ENDT-^675
82
72.5
70.5
(2)
etc.) The results of these two contracts are contained in final DOT
reports (references 16,17). The results of the Donaldson study are also
reported in a professional society report (reference 18). These tests
validated the contention that an ample supply of commercial mufflers
exists to significantly reduce intake and exhaust noise of production
trucks. Table 3.6 illustrates the general capabilities of better mufflers
being used on the most popular diesel engines. The same reports place
intake noise and component cost versus performance into a new, clearer
perspective.
Table 3.6 SOUND LEVELS OF BASIC EXHAUST SYSTEMS
Type System
Unmuffled
SWTP
SWTP + Wye (3)
CVVTP
SHVTP
DHVTP
SHHTP
DHHTP 74.0
(1) "A" weighted sound level reference 20 micronewtons per square meter.
Measured at 15.24 meters (50f).
(2) All mufflers tested exceeded back pressure limits.
(3) Wye muffler is used to join the two exhaust banks into a single
system.
Exhaust System Code "XY ABC"
XY denoted muffler configuration; S single, D dual, V vertically
mounted, H horizontal.
ABC denotes tail pipe system, V vertical, H horizontal.
Truck Noise Handbook - A task order contract with Cambridge
Collaborative is being used to write a popularized version of the
results of the two muffler contracts, the cooling system results from the
"quieted" trucks, and general noise testing procedures into one comprehen-
sive handbook for field use in implementing truck noise reduction. This
effort is nearing the publication stage and a final handbook was sched-
uled for completion July 1974.
Construction Equipment Mufflers - A contract is presently being
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negotiated with the Vehicle Research Institute (VRI) of the SAE to
study and evaluate the applicability of the muffler and cooling system
technology to construction equipment. Recommendations for dissemination
to that industry will be made by VRI.
Engine Noise Support - An interagency agreement with the Bureau
of Mines, Bartlesville Energy Research Center has produced a variety of
information on the performance and air emissions of similar diesel engines
with specific attention paid to effects of noise reduction components,
Bartlesville personnel also participated in program planning for future
diesel engine noise research.
Truck/Bus Retrofits - Most directly applicable to the regulatory
process for new trucks is the series of five contracts recently awarded
by the DOT to determine the degree of noise reduction possible through
optimum selection of air cleaner/inlet mufflers, exhaust mufflers, and
cooling system components. Contracts have been written with: General
Motors Truck and Coach Division, PACCAR (parent corporation including
Kenworth and Peterbilt), International Harvester, Rohr Industries
(Flexible Coach), and McDonnel-Douglas Co. (with White Motor Co. as
subcontractor). Ten trucks and two transit coaches will be evaluated
and quieted through detailed studies. Ten other trucks will be evaluated
as to the applicability of the hardware developed for the primary study
vehicles. $500,000 of Federal funds are being augmented by $325,000
of industry cost sharing to perform this effort. Final reports are
scheduled to be finished by mid calendar year 1975. On the basis of the
information (reference 19) supplied to prospective bidders regarding
the tasks to be performed in this truck and bus retrofit study, it
is evident that DOT is seeking technology answers to the problems of
typical vehicles but, in addition, is also seeking definitive studies
of vehicles known to possess atypical noise problems. Accordingly,
some of the results expected from this effort will quite possibly
delineate a number of truck models which simply cannot be expected to
be made as quiet as the "typical" truck. From this information, the
impact of regulatory decisions should be much clearer for both the
"typical" heavy duty vehicle, and vehicles which may have to be pre-
maturely retired due to excessive costs to quiet.
To facilitate dissemination of information resulting from these
efforts, the contractors are obligated to prepare service bulletins
pertinent to the test vehicles and to distribute these notifications
to all owners of record of the affected vehicles. DOT anticipates
that these service bulletins will establish a precedent in the industry
which will be followed by broad voluntary dissemination of noise infor-
mation by all manufacturers to their customers.
Basic Engine Noise Reduction - For even longer term considerations,
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DOT has initiated procurement activities to study the options available
in reducing inherent diesel engine noise through engine design modifi-
cations. The efforts of the Bureau of Mines and the so called "Quiet
Trucks" have provided the initial information for this effort as well as
options to encapsulate engines for noise reduction purposes. This study
will delve more deeply into the basic mechanisms of noise generation and
radiation by diesel engines and the potential abatement techniques
applicable to present and future engine designs. This will be a three
year laboratory and field test program which is expected to cost a half
million dollars. From this effort, it is anticipated that engine design
parameters will be developed which will provide a full option to the
encapsulation techniques developed in the previous DOT research and/or
provide means to lower engine noise beyond that achieved solely by engine
shields and encapsulation if needed.
In-Cab Noise Tests - The DOT has exercised its safety responsi-
bilities in various areas affecting heavy duty trucks and buses. One of
these areas of responsibility includes regulating the noise exposure of
drivers of commercial vehicles. In keeping with the authorization and
direction of the Congress as expressed in the Noise Control Act of 1972,
DOT has carried out its program of operator noise exposure protection
through research and development to the regulation stage.
In October of 1970 an advanced notice of proposed rule making by
the DOT Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety (BMCS) regarding sound levels in
commerical vehicle cabs was issued. A field measurement and analysis
effort was undertaken the following summer of 1971 to ascertain interior
sound levels and to develop simplified test procedures. Through the
cooperation of Regular Common Carrier Conference and the American Truck-
ing Associations, sixteen trucks were made available for testing. (Due
to interest in community noise on the part of the truckers and the DOT,
the exterior noise levels were measured as well as the interior noise
levels of the test trucks).
Interior and exterior noise level data were acquired by the National
Bureau of Standards (NBS) for DOT for a variety of truck operating procedures
which included: stationary low idle, stationary engine acceleration, sta-
tionary high idle (governed rpm), SAE J366a acceleration, SAE J366a decelera-
tion, and SAE J366a engine brake deceleration (reference 20).
An analysis of the significance of the various tests and a recom-
mended enforcement procedure for interior noise level has been reported
(reference 21). A methodology to relate the simplified procedure to
driver exposure and the hearing conservation criterion of the Occupational
Safety and Health Act was proposed. Sample measurements of typical over-
the-road driver sound level exposure were also reported.
20
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Subsequently a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (reference 22) was
issued by the BMCS on January 4, 1973, based upon the results of the
above research, to limit interior truck noise with specific per-
formance standards and compliance testing specified. In-house studies
documented by BMCS (reference 23) and independent studies by the Motor
Vehicle Manufacturers Association (MVMA) confirmed the validity of
the compliance testing procedure relative to the desired exposure control.
On November 8, 1973, the Director of the Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety
issued new Part 393.94 establishing maximum interior sound level limits
for newly-manufactured and in-service trucks and buses operated in inter-
state commerce.
The BMCS has also undertaken research to relate noise and other
commerical vehicle environmental factors (vibration, heat, etc.) to
driver fatigue, etc. The results of this effort have been reported
(reference 24),
Truck Tire Noise Study - The very first item of surface trans-
portation noise research undertaken by the DOT Office of Noise Abatement
was a comprehensive study of tire noise. DOT undertook this program in
1969 as the first phase of its highway vehicle noise research because it
had been determined that: (1) tire noise is speed dependent, thus it
is typically the dominant high speed truck noise source; (2) Interstate
highway construction progress has generated a continuing increase in
average truck speed; (3) tire noise to some degree Is dependent upon
road surface and; (4) the majority of the remaining Interstate system
to be constructed is in urban areas. The course of action taken was
to enter into an interagency agreement with the Office of Vehicle Systems
Research (OVSR) of the National Bureau of Standards to conduct pilot
studies of auto tire noise (due to their heavy involvement with auto tire
safety standards for DOT).
From this pilot effort and information obtained from General
Motors, it was determined that meaningful data could be acquired using
coast-by test procedures. With this base of understanding and experience,
DOT and NBS prepared a test plan for a parametric examination of truck
tire noise through field testing.
During the performance of this study, the OVSR was transferred
enmasse from NBS to DOT and the tire noise program execution was re-
directed by DOT to the Applied Acoustics Section of NBS. No significant
disruption of the program was experienced by this transition which was
planned in anticipation of the organizational change. An excellent test
site was made available at Wallops Island, Virginia, by the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration, Test tires were provided gratis
by several trucking companies through the American Trucking Associations.
NBS acquired the necessary acoustic equipment, became familiar with its
operation and conducted initial tests at Wallops Island in 1970. Test-
21
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ing during the summers of 1970 and 1971 resulted in the acquisition of
the largest known data base of truck tire noise. The first (references
25,26) of a series of reports based upon these data document the vari-
ation of truck tire noise with: tire tread type, vehicle speed, vehicle
loading, tire wear, and to a limited degree road surface, number of
tires, and effects of water on the road surface.
Currently in preparation are several additional reports derived
from this data base covering the subjects of: regulatory and use impli-
cations, spectral and directional characteristics of truck tire noise,
and Implications of the data in regards to the' mechanisms of tire noise
generation. In addition, evaluation tests of candidate tires for stan-
dard military procurement were evaluated and were reported (reference
27).
A substantial number of professional society papers have been
written by DOT and NBS on the subject of tire noise. (See references
28,29,30,31,32 for examples). The findings of this program to date
served as input data for the EPA proposed Interstate Motor Carrier Noise
Regulations (reference 33). It is anticipated that the findings will
further serve as the basis for tire noise regulations to be written by
the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in accordance with Sections 27502 and
27503 of the California Motor Vehicle Code (reference 34) and possible
future tire noise regulations to be written by EPA.
j^ruck Tire Noise Basic Research - While the above tire noise efforts
have quantified the important factors pertaining to selective use of
tires, road surface implications and regulatory implications, the matter
of specific tire noise generation mechanism would remain unanswered
unless more specific research into this point was successfully conducted.
Accordingly DOT has awarded a four year $270,000 grant to the North
Carolina State University (NCSU) to undertake a theoretical and experi-
mental study of tire noise generation. Through the first two years of
this grant, tire vibration (as opposed to air pumping or other turbulent
aerodynamic phenomena) has been identified as a major noise source
mechanism in many truck tires. Subsequent tasks have been planned which
are necessary for the design of quiet tires. These tasks are: isolation
of tire vibration and sound sources through coherence function analysis
of tire sound, vibration, and road surface roughness signals; road sur-
face roughness measurement and modeling; and tire analytical vibration
and noise models. A status report (reference 35) through August 1973
is available from NCSU.
Highway Noise Enforcement Training and Equipment - In the various
aspects of the DOT program of truck noise reduction, numerous procedures
of sound measurement and data presentation have been employed. The DOT
has elected to use one common base of testing throughout this program
22
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to ensure complete communications with the various participants and to
ensure comparability of results. This common base has been the Society
of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice J366a or the latest version
J366b (reference 36) revised for editorial reasons. As illustrated in
reference 20, DOT is very much attuned to the need to constantly review
the adequacy of present testing techniques. The sensitivity of J366a
relative to vehicle operation and/or microphone location was investi-
gated and reported, noting that nowhere in the data were levels greater
than J366a plus 3dB recorded at microphone locations other than that
prescribed by J366a. The average difference in levels recorded 4.57
meters (15') to either side of the SAE microphone location was 0. The
average difference in levels recorded 9.14 meters (30') to either side
of the SAE microphone location was 0 to O.SdB lower than at the SAE
microphone location. The ranges of data were also small. A concluding
statement, therefore, was made relative to J366a that: "This data
serves to substantiate the validity of the SAE test procedure as a
measure of maximum vehicle noise". Subsequent to that study in 1971
no data has been generated which would change the conclusions as to
validity of J366 within a nominal +2dB tolerance. Higher test speeds
would be detrimental to the process of reliably determining maximum
truck noise (exclusive of tire noise).
As noted above, DOT is presently preparing a report on tire noise
regulatory implications which will endeavor to provide supporting infor-
mation for California standards to be developed on truck and automobile
tire noise. In this effort leading up to the preparation of this report,
DOT has concluded that tires need to be regulated in a totally separate
fashion from trucks. DOT further concludes that with the exception of
substituting "fast meter response" for the "slow meter response", the
procedures and concepts of SAE J57 (reference 37) testing are adequate
for truck tire noise rating.
In accordance with scientifically sound and practical approaches
which exist for the specification and enforcement of motor vehicle
noise control measures, DOT undertook the sponsorship of a training pro-
gram for state and local officials concerned with this problem. In May
and June of 1973, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) conducted six,
four^day courses to convey the background and experience gained by the
CHP in developing and adopting legislation for the control of motor
vehicle noise and in developing and enforcing specific new product
and in-service vehicle noise regulations. The DOT also offered to make
available basic instrumentation for the states to use in such enforce-
ment programs which the states would undertake following completion
of the DOT/CHP courses,
A total of 212 state and local officials attended the training
courses at the Sacramento, California Academy of the CHP. A few repre-
sentatives of the Environmental Protection Agency also attended, as did
other DOT officials and a few industry officials.
23
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The course material and the audio/visual training aids provided each
attendee are contained in references 38 through 41. The object of the
program was multifold, however, one primary objective was to determine if
a well structured program, conducted by personnel possessing extensive
background and experience could effectively convey the essence of vehicle
noise enforcement techniques to a generally uninformed group of state
and local officials, upon whom responsibility for such enforcement would
possibly be placed in the near future. As the final report (reference 42)
indicates, the program was an overwhelming success. The examination scores
were raised from an average of 64,5% at entrance to 91.3% upon completion
of the course. This report has been edited to preserve anonimity of the
attendees thus permitting public disclosure of the program results.
„. R°adside Enforcement Sites - Further, in regards to measurement
methodology, the DOT is initiating a program of roadside site categori-
zation which will involve the measurement of control vehicles and traffic
at a number of representative roadside enforcement locations to cate-
gorize the acoustic effects of such sites as are typically found adjacent
foJ .?? S hi8hways and streets. Measurements during the summer of
1974 will provide pertinent data for this activity leading to the develop-
ment of initial compliance regulations to be written by the DOT under
authority of Section 18 of the Noise Control Act. This activity will, in
all probability, be an on-going, low level, in-house effort to continually
' «*orc««t measurements y
factors
tor ertBiH- year 1975' ln-house and contrac-
"
ac^L:^^
developed a sophisticated Mghway olse
ook
24
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into account many factors as specific inputs which have been averaged
in the succeeding NCHRP models. Reference 43 is the highway noise
volume of the series of reports resulting from this study of the
magnitude of the transportation noise problem. References 44, 45 and
46 document the computer program as refined and used by DOT Trans-
portation Systems Center (TSC) and the short approximate method developed
in-house at DOT/TSC. On-going effort has been directed towards updating
these models and providing programs for different computers to accent
either the NCHRP 117 model (computerization performed by the Michigan
State Highway Department) or the DOT-Transportation System Center
Model.
Scale Modeling Highway and Urban Traffic Noise - In many circum-
stances the topography is of such a complex nature as to invalidate
the generalized assumptions used in computer modeling, hence, the use
of small scale physical models has been applied on two DOT contracts.
In 1969 a contract was written with Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV) to study
the scale modeling problem of complex highway interchanges and to
develop the sound source and measurement methodology to permit reliable
small scale modeling. Corporate organizational problems resulted in
the transfer of numerous key personnel away from the project, con-
sequently, adequate final reports have not been prepared documenting
this study. Subsequently, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT) has had a DOT grant to study scale modeling of urban traffic
situations. Final reports are in preparation (should be available be-
tore the end of calendar year 1974) documenting the results of this
study of traffic flow in simulated urban canyons.
Development of Highway Noise Standards PPM 90-2 - Section 136(b)
of the 1970 Federal Aid to Highway Act specified that the DOT/FHWA
promulgate by July 1, 1972, standards for highway noise levels, com-
patible with different land uses. Accordingly on April 26, 1972, the
DOT Federal Highway Administration issued an advanced copy of its
Policy and Procedures Memorandum PPM 90-2 entitled Interim Noise
Standards Procedures for Implementing 109 (i) of Title 23 United States
Code. This was updated in February 8, 1973, by final version PPM 90-2
entitled Noise Standards and Procedures (reference 47). The develop-
ment of these standards was performed primarily in-house with the assis-
tance of consultants in the employ of the DOT and under the auspices
of the Association of State Highway officials.
PPM 90-2 Training Manual and Course - To assist in the understanding
and implementation of PPM 90-2 the FHWA made provisions for preparing
a one-week training course in the fundamentals and abatement of highway
traffic noise. This course was prepared under contract: by Bolt, Beranek
and Newman (BBN) and initial courses were given under the leadership of
BBN. Subsequently the same course is being made available through
the Federal Highway Administration Regional Structure and is being con-
ducted in-house by FHWA employees with the assistance of a few consultants.
25
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A manual (reference 48) has been prepared that serves as a textbook for
training courses.
The Highway Noise Standards and the training course are directed to
those location, site, and design aspects of highway construction which
are pertinent to the control of vehicular noise as it exists on today's
highways. The computer programs mentioned above are based on empirical
measurements on today's highways of today's vehicular noise levels, but
adjustments to reflect vehicular noise control can be made in these pro-
grams.
FHWA Highway Design Manual and Construction Equipment Standards -
Other activities include the preparation of design manuals for the
construction of highway roadside barriers, and the exploratory research
by the state of California Division of Highways regarding the establish-
ment of feasible noise levels for construction and maintenance equipment
utilized for highway construction.
Highway Barriers; Effectiveness. Acoustic Materials. Parametrics -
A variety of Federal Highway Contracts and state research projects under
the Highway Trust Fund allocation for Highway Planning and Research are,
and have been, underway relating to design features of highways to abate
existing highway noise. The state of California has completed a project
relating to traffic noise near highways and the effects of design and
environmental variables, including the development and demonstration of
highway barriers near impacted residential areas. A contract has been
let by the DOT/FHWA with BBN to explore the ramifications of using sound
absorbing material on existing highway noise barriers and within tunnels.
In addition, the DOT/TSC under the DOT, Office of the Secretary has con-
ducted in-house theoretical studies and is preparing a field measurement
program to evaluate the effectiveness of highway barriers relative to
the line source of noise generated by a stream of heavy flowing traffic.
Traffic and Community Noise Studies - The state of Maryland has
undertaken a project relating to highway design and abatement of traffic
noise and the state of New Jersey has undertaken a program of community
noise measurements.
Passenger Car Tire Noise - Other activities involving the Western
Region Federal Highway Administration field force and the state of
Colorado pertain to the noise generated by passenger car tires on various
road surfaces. The design implications of tire/roadway interaction have
been discussed above in the truck noise reduction program. While the
problem is somewhat different, the results of the truck and passenger
car tire research have been carefully coordinated and integrated insofar
as the implications of highway surfacing are concerned from the stand-
point of safety and noise.
26
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3.1.2 Urban Transportation Systems Noise Reduction Program
Transit Bus Noise Reduction Potential - Within the broad area
of mass transportation vehicles and systems development, numerous
activities are underway relating to advancing the state-of-the-art of
noise control. As mentioned previously, two transit coaches are in-
cluded within the DOT Truck/Bus Retrofits programs and, in addition,
a demonstration project by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Authority (WMATA) completed in 1972 demonstrated that significant
noise reduction could be achieved in current "new look" transit coaches
by the application of noise control engineering. The WMATA "quick and
dirty" demonstration program illustrated the need to work on engine,
exhaust, intake, and cooling system aspects of coaches to achieve
noise reduction. The demonstration did not include the development
of practical hardware to achieve these reductions as will be the case
in the project presently underway.
Purchase Specifications: Transit Coaches - Currently underway
is a low level effort by MITRE Corporation to more closely examine the
test procedures and specification for community and passenger noise
levels associated with transit coaches. The DOT Urban Mass Transpor-
tation Administration (UMTA) provides capital grants covering some 80%
of all transit coach purchases. This contract with MITRE Corporation
is being conducted in conjunction with the Society of Automotive
Engineers Bus Noise Subcommittee.
TRANSBUS Program - Looking further to the future, the DOT is
presently developing technology for future transit coaches in the forty
foot urban design category. Three parallel contracts have been awarded
for the development and demonstration of such coaches. Included within
the design goals and specifications are very progressive interior and
exterior noise level specifications. This program is presently in the
acceptance test and evaluation phase of the demonstrator transit coaches
produced by three suppliers: Rohr, Inc., General Motors Truck and
Coach, and AM General Corporation. The portion of the twenty-three
million dollar total effort which is devoted to noise control is not
known since noise is but one of many integrated specifications for
the project. However, the attainment of the seventy-five dBA exterior
maximum noise goal will do much to forward the state-of-the-art and is
considered by the DOT as a significant activity in the noise abatement
area.
Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) Program - Other systems development
and exploratory efforts in the area of personal rapid transit systems
(PRT's) also include noise related activities as a part of the advanced
work necessary to determine the applicability of such systems for future
urban transportation needs. Contracts with Uniflow and Pullman Standard,
27
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for example, include noise oriented activities related to rail personal
rapid transit design concepts. Some of the findings of these systems study
contracts may be pertinent to more conventional tracked rapid transit
vehicles and to future design specifications for systems implementation.
Estimates as to the specific cost of the noise related portions of these
contracts are not provided since the segregation of noise from other de-
sign and evaluation tasks cannot be readily performed.
Dual Mode Program - Another activity is the so called dual mode
technology development within the mass transit area. A variety of
activities exploring the feasibility of integrating various modes of
transportation to relieve the dependence upon automobiles includes,
among other things, environmental compatibility; hence, a low level of
in-house consultation and contractor effort in the noise area is included
to assure noise compatibility of such systems.
Rapid Transit Systems Noise - In the area of rail rapid transit
a concerted effort has been mounted to address the problems of noise in
the community and the noise environment of riders and customers waiting
in stations. In FY 1972 and 1973, measurement methodologies were developed
to characterize the noise environment of rapid rail transit systems. The
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Lines were used as sub-
jects for measurement and exploratory study. A final report is in prep-
aration describing the noise climate of the MBTA. Subsequently, grants
have been provided the New York Polytechnic Institute and the University
of Illinois to study the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) and
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) properties respectively (along the lines
of the study previously conducted by TSC/DOT of the MBTA), Request for
proposals have been issued for similar studies of the Cleveland,
Philadelphia, and San Francisco rapid transit systems.
Wheel/Rail and Elevated Structures Noise and Vibration - Contracts
have been let for studies of (1) the development of wheel/rail noise and
vibration control technology and (2) the development of track and elevated
structure noise and vibration control technology with Bolt, Beranek and
Newman and Cambridge Collaborative, respectively.
In-Service Noise Abatement Test and Evaluation - In 1974, the in-
service test and evaluation of state-of-the-art noise control techniques
will be conducted including: resilient wheels in Chicago, station
acoustical treatment in Philadelphia, resilient fasteners in New York,
and barriers in San Francisco. The in-service test and evaluation pro-
gram has as its overall objectives the definition of cost and performance
data of the various techniques as well as the evaluation of each technique
considering safety, maintainability, etc., for application in future
corrective programs and new systems designs.
28
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Future plans call for the development and demonstration of appli-
cations of known technology as well as heretofore unproven technology
in one or more transit authorities. The producers of these efforts
will feed back through the cost and abatement documentation similar
to that mentioned previously for the MBTA, NYCTA, and the CTA studies.
Thus an integrated time phased program is well underway for the assess-
ment of noise impact of existing rapid rail transit systems, and the
means are at hand to begin to identify and resolve environmental
incompatibilities.
New Systems Specificationst Capital Grants - In addition to the
research and demonstration program activities, very important improve-
ments and advancements are being made as a result of progressive systems
specifications being drawn for new transit systems which are being
developed with massive federal support. Examples include the Bay Area
Rapid Transit District, the Washington Metro Systems, the Baltimore
Transit System, and Atlanta Rapid Transit System. Such specifications,
developed by the system consultants and approved by the DOT, exhibit
incremental noise improvements with time. Estimates of the costs of
such specifications cannot be provided, however, the noise reduction
contributions of such system specifications will be significant.
Other programs such as the State-of-the-Art Car and the develop-
ment of a screech loop at the Pueblo High Speed Test Center will add to
the body of information permitting continuous improvement in rapid
transit noise control.
3.1.3 Conventional Railroad and High Speed Ground Inter-City Trans-
portation Noise Related Programs
Measurement of Railroad Noise - Prior to the passage of the Noise
Control Act of 1972, conventional railroad noise complaints ranked rela-
tively low on the list of priorities in the DOT (as measured by the
frequency or number of community complaints and/or legal actions taken).
The conventional rail network is contracting rather than expanding, and
much of the land use adjacent to conventional rail lines has long been
established and has acclimated to the noise of conventional railroads.
Due to the desire of railroads to have uniformity of control and in re-
action to a growing body of regulatory attempts by cities and states,
the railroads lobbied for inclusion of Section 17 in the Noise Control
Act of 1972 which requires the EPA to establish standards for noise
emission of railroad equipment and facilities and for the DOT to write
compliance regulations. Accordingly, the DOT undertook an accelerated
program of in-house measurements of railroad noise to explore the
magnitude of the problem and the means by which measurements and/or
enforcement procedures could be developed. A number of measurements
in the field were made of conventional and high speed trains between
29
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Washington and New York and New York and Boston which encompass conven-
tional freight, conventional passenger, Metroline and Turbo Train. One
report (reference 49) has been published and an article (reference 50)
based upon the data was published in "Sound and Vibration," In addition,
an exploratory research program utilizing a load cell facility was under-
taken to acquire baseline information on locomotive noise as a function
of throttle position and fan operating cycle. Measurements of property
line and specific source noise emissions were made during a one-week
period in the Argentine yards of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe
Railroad in Kansas City. Extensive data were acquired reflecting the
property line noise levels as a function of noise source and operating
mode. These data were acquired in a cooperative venture to support the
EPA standards setting responsibility under Section 17 of the Noise Control
Act and will be published shortly (reference 51).
Joint DOT/Association of American Railroads (AAR) Noise Research -
Currently underway is a railroad noise research program in cooperation
with the Association of American Railroads. This program will investigate
locomotive noise characteristics under various operating modes with the
prime objective being the development of simple, but effective, locomotive
noise tests techniques. Also to be studied in this program is the effect
of multiple locomotive units and propagation across adjacent terrain in
order to allow efficient and equitable enforcement of EPA noise standards.
Finally within the program, the demonstration of the effectiveness of
retarder noise barriers is planned.
The above railroad noise research program will be initiated in FY 1974
and will carry through FY 1975 and portions of FY 1976. From this study it
is expected that simple and reliable test techniques for evaluating rail-
road/locomotive noise, identification of individual sources of locomotive
noise, identification of site variables pertinent to the measurement
of locomotive/rail car noise, and demonstration of railroad retarder
barriers to abate the excessive noise of these facilities will be accom-
plished. Cooperation on the part of the nation's railroads is anticipated
through the gratis supply of equipment and operating personnel. From this
base of information more specific actions in the future can be taken to
identify the need to reduce railroad noise further and the means by which
such reductions, if required, can be made.
High Speed Inter-City Dedicated Guideway Transportation Systems -
Also within the DOT program of exploratory research and demonstration are
activities associated with high speed intercity dedicated guideway type
of transportation systems. Within these engineering demonstration efforts
are a number of noise specifications and specific noise abatement tasks.
For example, the Linear Induction Motor Research Vehicle, which is a steel
wheel rail/linear induction motor propelled test vehicle operating at the
Pueblo High-Speed Test Site, is being subjected to evaluation of noise
30
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sources with emphasis on rail wheel noise and if feasible, exploration
of linear induction motor and reaction rail noise generation. In
conjunction with the Federal Republic of Germany and their high-
speed ground research program, DOT anticipates acquiring data from
tests of German magnetically levitated vehicles centering on the evalu-
ation of aerodynamically generated noise of high speed vehicles.
Engineering development programs of prototype tracked air cushion vehicle
(PTACV) will provide additional information on the noise generation of
air movers for such vehicle, cushions, and once again linear induction
motor components. Noise specifications previously set for the PTACV
have been factored into the design. Evaluation and, if necessary,
corrective measures in future years will reveal significant findings
regarding the peculiar apparatus of such high-speed ground transpor-
tation vehicles.
3.2 POD SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE CONTROL PROGRAMS
The surface vehicle noise research programs identified within the
DOD are those sponsored by the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Command (TACOM)
and the U.S. Army Mobility Equipment Research and Development Center
faERDC). The TACOM Noise Control Program is divided into two program
areas: Conformance with Regulatory Requirements and Vehicle Signature
Reduction. Both are funded by the Army Materiel Command under the
Tank and Automotive Technology Effort and are classified within the DOD
as Exploratory Development Projects. The MERDC program is entitled
"Noise Reduction Program for U.S. Army Construction Equipment" and
includes mobile and stationary construction equipment. However, this
report will only describe the portion of the program concerned with
construction vehicles. The stationary construction equipment considered
in the MERDC Program is addressed in the Federal Machinery Noise Panel
Report entitled "Federal Machinery Noise Research, Development, and
Demonstration Programs: FY73-FY75," Copies of this report are available
from EPA. The projects associated with these programs are listed in
Tables 3.7, 3.8, and 3.9. The substance of the programs is also briefly
described in Sections 3.2.1 and 3.2.2.
31
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Table 3.7 SUMMARY OF DOD/TACOM CONFORMANCE WITH REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS PROGRAM
(-0
K3
Descriptive Title of Task
TACOM Noise Measurements, Standards
and Coordination
Construction of an Anechoic Test Facility
For Vehicle and Vehicle Components
Noise Measurement Test of Military
Fleet Vehicles
Isolation and Measurement of Component
Noise Emissions of a M813 5-ton Cargo
Truck
TACOM/DOT Noise Measurements of Non-
Directional Cross Country & New
Military Tires
Purchase of Sound and Vibration
Measurement and Analysis Equipment
Noise Reduction of an M813 5-ton Cargo
Truck
Modification of a Mobile Laboratory Van
Investigator
In-House
Eckel Corporation
In-House
Cummins Engine Company
National Bureau of Standards
In-House
H. L. Blachford, Inc.
PSI, INC.
Fiscal Year Funding ($1.000)
1973 1974 1975
50
90
75
120
53
20
13
23
32
TOTALS
215
270
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Table 3.8 SUMMARY OF DOD/TACOM VEHICLE SIGNATURE PROGRAM
LO
CO
Descriptive Title
Noise Signature Measurement
Program
TACOM Analysis of Armored
Reconnaissance Scout
Vehicle Contractor Program
to Reduce Exhause System
Noise, Noise Reduction of
the M561 GAMA Goat, &
Information Dissemination
Vehicle Noise Specifications
and Field Tests of Het-70
and M520 Goer Pilot Vehicles
Military Vehicle Track
Modelling Noise and
Vibration Study
Computer Correlation of
Vehicle Detectability
Investigator(s)
In-House
In-House
Fiscal Year Funding ($1,000)
Prior to 1973 1973 1974(est) 1975
100
50
50
In-House
Bolt, Baranek &
Newman
Bolt, Baranek &
Newman
37
28
30
TOTALS
100
100
95
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Table 3.9 SUMMARY OF DOD/MEEDC NOISE REDUCTION PROGRAM FOR U.S. ARMY CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES
Fiscal Year Funding ($1.000)
U>
Descriptive Title
Off-Road Vehicle Noise Survey
Operator Noise Exposure
Exterior Noise
Noise Specification/Standard
Development
Vehicle Noise Control
D7 Crawler Tractor
6K Rough Terrain Forklift
Truck
10K Rough Terrain Forklift
Truck
830 MB Wheeler Tractor
6K Warehouse Forklift
Investigator
In-House and Dayton T.
Brown, Inc.*
In-House**
In-House
Total
Caterpillar Tractor Co.
and I.n-House
Dayton T. Brown, Inc.
and In-House
H. L. Blachford, Inc.
and In-House
Kamperman Associates, Inc.
and In-House
Allis-Chalmers
1973
44
+
+
(44)
130
75
75
1974
1975
30
30
60
140
80
65
Component Noise Control/Control
Components
Hydraulic Noise
Accoustical Materials
Total
* Subcontract to Kampernan Associates, Inc.
** Also in conjunction with the "Vehicle Noise Control Pr.igram"
+. Not dedicated to noise
(280)
(260)
(145)
Oklahoma State University
Dayton T. Brown, Inc.
and H. L. Blachford
Total
GRAND TOTAL
20
25
(45)
369
40
(40)
300
10
5
(15)
160
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3.2.1 TACOM Surface Vehicle Noise Reduction Program
Conformance with Regulatory Requirements - The objective of this
effort is to measure and reduce noise levels of all military vehicles
that fall within the jurisdiction of military and commercial noise stan-
dards. Both interior and near field exterior noise emissions are con-
sidered. The following standards are among those that are addressed:
Table 3.10 SUMMARY OF MILITARY AND COMMERCIAL NOISE STANDARDS
Portion of the Vehicle Affected
Title Source Int. Ext. Nondetectability
MIL STD 1474 Army XX X
(MI) Noise
Limits for Army
Material
TB 251 Army X
Public Law Federal X X
92-574 Noise
Control Act
of 1972
MIL H 46855 Army X
Human Engr
Request for
Military Systems
MIL STD 1472 Army X
Human Engr
Design Criteria
EPA Proposed Federal X
Standards
Federal Motor Federal X
Carrier Safety
Regulation
Occupational Federal X
Safety & Health
Act (OSHA)
35
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The Conformance with Regulatory Requirements Program was initiated in FY 73,
The following represents a distribution of the resources by tasks and the
work accomplished:
TACOM Noise Measurements, Standards and Coordination - This in-house
project consisted of a number of tasks. For example an Army Materiel
Command (AMC) Working Group on noise formulated Military Standard (MIL STD)
1474 (reference 52). Existing military vehicle noise test data were com-
piled and additional "quick" tests were run at the Yuma Proving Ground
(YPG). Two TACOM reports were published (references 53,54). A coordina-
tion effort on interior noise included developmental measurements and noise
reduction cost estimates on M551, M746, M123, M578, and M114 vehicles.
Cooperative efforts were undertaken with other TACOM agencies to establish
the following ranking of vehicles requiring measurement of interior and
exterior noise emission.
(1) M35A2 Cargo Truck (6) M561 Gama Goat
(2) M818 Tractor Truck (7) M746 Heavy Equipment Trans-
porter
(3) M813 Cargo Truck (8) M520 Cargo Goer
(4) M817 Dump Truck (9) M559 Tanker Goer
(5) M151A1 Jeep (10) M553 Wreaker Goer
In addition, TACOM transferred $10,000 to the U.S. Army Test and
Evaluation Command (TECOM) at the Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) for a
MIL STD 1474 interior and exterior noise measurement of 3 new samples
each of M151A2 and M561 vehicles (this was a "piggy back" measurement
on a vehicle product assurance test). Resources for this effort were
increased to $100,000 in FY 74. Emphasis was in assisting in revisions
to MIL STD 1474, support of measurement and suppression of noise on
several types of high mobility tactical vehicles, and coordination of
contract efforts,,
Anechoic Test Facility Construction - This project resulted from
the transfer of $165,000 from another TACOM Division for truck engine
aoise reduction work (DA Project 1G563621DG07). The effort was as follows:
A $90,000 contract was awarded Eckel Corporation for the construction of
a semi-aechoic test facility. Noise measurements on vehicles, engines
and transmissions may be accomplished in this facility which will
accomodate vehicle sizes up to and including the 5-ton M809 series
truck. $75,000 was utilized for noise measurement equipment for the
chamber.
Noise Measurement Test of Military Fleet Vehicles - A TECOM noise
36
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measurement test of military fleet vehicles was initiated in FY 74 using
MIL STD 1474 test criteria, The test location was the Aberdeen Proving
Ground. Five vehicles, each of seven types, were tested. The types
were M151A1, M561, M35A.2, M35A2C, M818, M813, and M817. The testing was
completed in July 1974,
Isolation and Measurement of Component Noise Emissions of an
M813 5-ton Cargo Truck - This contract with Cummins Engine Company
was initiated in July 1973 and was designed to isolate and measure com-
ponent noise emission on one M813 5-ton cargo truck. The testing was
completed in August 1973.
TACOM/DOT Noise Measurement of Non-Directional Cross/Country
(NDCC) & New Military Tires - This joint effort was conducted by NBS
at Wallops Island, Virginia. The tests were run from July through
September 1973, and a report (reference 55) was published.
Purchase of Sound and Vibration Measurement and Analysis
Equipment - This equipment was purchased for in-house use in FY 1973 and
FY 1974.
Noise Reduction of an M813 5-ton Cargo Truck^ - A contract was
let with H. L. Blachford, Inc., for the period of September 1973 to
June 1974 to reduce the interior and exterior noise levels of an M813
5-ton cargo truck to conform with MIL STD 1474 criteria and to provide
data on cost versus noise reduction achieved. A report (reference 57)
has been published on this work.
Modification^ of a Mobile Laboratory Van - A contract was nego-
tiated with PSI, Inc., to facilitate installation of new noise measurement
equipment in the TACOM mobile laboratory van. The contract duration was
December 1973 to July 1974.
Vehicle Signature Reduction
Noise Signature Measurement Program - This in-house effort by
TACOM directly assisted the project manager of Remote Battlefield Sensor
Systems (REMBASS) by providing data reduction and a report on a classi-
fied signature program. Noise signatures were measured on the following
military vehicles:
Tracked Wheeled Aircraft
M60 M151A2 UH1H
M551 M35A2 CH46
M113A1 M813 T33
M114 M561 C130
M578 GAZ59
M109 ZIL157
PT76
37
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A TACOM report (reference 56) was published. Previously obtained
data on combat vehicles were analyzed to determine the attenuation of
various frequencies of the noise signatures with distance. Transcription
of vehicle noise data tapes were transmitted to the Naval Air Develop-
ment Center (NADC), the U.S. Air Force Rome Air Development Center (RADC),
the U.S. Army Mobility Equipment Research and Development Center (MERDC),
and the Army Crop of Engineer's Waterway Experiment Station (WES).
TACOM Analysis of the Armored Reconnaissance Scout Vehicle (ARSV)
Contractor Program to Reduce Exhaust System Noise. Noise Reduction of
the M561 GAMA Goat, and Information Dissemination - The ARSV (XM800)
contractor tests of the plans for reducing exhaust system noise were
reviewed and recommendations transmitted to the project manager. Evalua-
tion and reduction of noise sources on the M561 Gama Goat was partially
accomplished (continued in FY 74). As the Research and Engineering
Directorate's prime proponent for noise reduction, information was
disseminated to and technical inquiries answered from other TACOM organi-
zations.
Vehicle Noise Specifications and Field Tests of HET - 70 and M520
Goer Pilot Vehicles - This in-house task involved providing assistance
to project managers on noise inputs to vehicle specifications and per-
forming noise field tests on HET-70 and M520 Goer pilot vehicle.
Military Vehicle Track Modelling Noise and Vibration Study -
This contract is with Bolt, Beranek, and Newman (BBN) of Chicago and
involves the reduced scale modelling of a combat vehicle track to
determine the contribution of various track and suspension components
to vehicle noise.
Computer Correlation of Vehicle Detectability - This contract is
also with BBN and has produced a computer program for the prediction
of vehicle detection ranges. A report (reference 58) of this work has
been published.
Future Objectives of the TACOM Program - For the period of FY 75-78,
the DOD/TACOM noise research program objectives can be summarized as
follows:
1. Continue TECOM-APG Vehicle Noise Measurement Program.
2. Isolate and measure component noise on all offending vehicles
measured in the Conformance with Regulatory Requirements Program.
3. Conduct cost effective noise reduction work on offending
components measured in the Vehicle Signature Program.
4. Continue liaison with other government and commercial organi-
zations involved in noise standards and noise reduction.
38
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5. Continue work with Army Vehicle Project Managers and engineers
on new vehicles under development and on vehicle product
improvement programs.
6. Investigate computer modeling techniques for prediction of
component noise contribution to the total vehicle noise
output and for prediction of vehicle aural security distances.
3.2.2 MERDC Noise Reduction Program for U.S. Army Construction Vehicles
Off-Road Vehicle Noise Survey
Operator Noise Exposure - To evaluate the average noise reduction
requirements of much of MERDC construction equipment, a noise exposure
monitoring program was initiated. This noise program required evaluation
of several instrumentation systems to measure average noise levels. These
systems included tape recordings analyzed by digital computer, analysis
of noise on site with a statistical distribution analyzer, and analysis
with commercially available noise dosimeters. The first noise exposure
monitoring site was the Army Engineer Training Center at Fort Leonard
Wood, Mo. In general, these techniques showed the average noise level
to be lower than that determined by simple sound level (reference 67) over
a short interval (reference 69,74).
Exterior Noise - Exterior noise measurements were made on U.S. Army
construction vehicles at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. Measurements were
made at 15.24 meters (501) in accordance with SAE criteria (reference 70).
In addition similar measurements were made in conjunction with the
"Vehicle Noise Control Program."
Noise Specification/Standard Development - An informal evaluation
and study of noise standards and criteria was carried out over a period
of time in conjunction with other government agencies and industry
groups. Primary criterion that had to be met was the noise exposure
criterion of the Army Surgeon General (i.e., no soldier should be ex-
posed to more than an average of 85dB(A) over an 8 hour period). This
criterion dictated the need to evaluate the energy average of the
machine noise reaching the operator's ear. This evaluation was rather
difficult because the average, normal, or typical use of the equipment
was not defined. To overcome this problem, a baseline noise exposure
monitoring program was carried out as described in the "Operator Noise
Exposure" project above. The results of these studies were incorporated
in MIL STD 1474A to be published in March 1975 (reference 71). This
standard will present design guidelines for implementing usage standards
such as the Army Surgeon General Criterion and the OSHA noise regulations.
39
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Vehicle Noise Control
D7 Crawler Tractor - An initial effort was made to determine the
major problems that would be anticipated in requiring a low noise polluting
vehicle and what were the practical limitations. In 1972, a contract was
awarded to Caterpillar Tractor Co. to study a military version of the D7
crawler tractor with the following goals:
1. Measure the variation of noise on production line vehicles
and develop baseline data.
2. Determine each major source of noise and establish the noise
level of each.
3. Reduce the noise at each source as far as practical and deter-
mine the effects on vehicle performance.
4. By use of external means, reduce the noise level to 90dB(A).
5. Provide a feasibility study of reducing the noise to 90dB(A)
in the operator's compartment while the vehicle is moving.
6. Reduce the noise level to the lowest possible level.
7. Develop practical means of reducing the noise level effect
resulting from the addition of rollover protective structures
(ROPS).
This report provided a voluminous amount of information (reference
72), thus, only a summary of the results is provided here.
The major noise sources identified in the study were engine block,
fan, exhaust, hydraulic pump, drive train, power train, and track. In
addition to noise reduction work on the engine, exhaust, fan, and
hydraulic system, work was performed on the overall machine configuration
to block off the noise. Two major areas considered were the engine and
operator compartments. The end result was that the noise level was
reduced substantially from 99 to 91dB(A). This was a relatively simple
package in respect to maintenance and almost met the original objective
of 90dB(A). Reducing the fan speed 10% met the objective but provided
insufficient airflow and cooling. The only other major sources of noise
which could not be adequately addressed were the hydraulics and track.
The overall result (reference 73) was a package for retrofit of
the basic vehicle noise but did little for track noise. The level did
not meet the goal of 90dB(A), let alone the Surgeon General's criterion
of 85dB(A), and cost would have been several thousand dollars. As a
40
-------
result, it was felt that retrofit of these machines in the field would
not be appropriate.
6K Rough Terrain Forklift Truck - The program on the 6000 Ib.
capacity (6K) truck was awarded under a time and materials contract to
Dayton T. Brown, Inc. The contractor was to proceed step by step as
directed by the MERDC. The initial noise level of the vehicle was 99dB(A)
at high idle (HI), and after initial noise reduction modifications were
accomplished, the HI noise level was about 88dB(A), From this con-
figuration several additional noise reduction methods were sought, and
the initial modifications were reworked to make them more practical.
The dominant noise source at this point was the fan, since its complete
removal reduced the overall noise level to 86dB(A) and no other source
was as significant. In accordance with previous findings, major emphasis
was placed on a new shroud system. This, in conjunction with additional
absorption material in the engine compartment, reduced the overall noise
level to 87dB(A) at HI (reference 73).
10K Rough Terrain Forklift Truck - The 10,000 Ib. capacity
(10 K) forklift noise control program was awarded as a fixed
price level-of-effort contract to H. L. Blachford, Inc. Blachford was to
proceed without knowledge of the work of the 6000 Ib. capacity forklift
program contractor. The initial HI noise level for this vehicle was
102dB(A) but this was reduced to 91dB(A) using similar treatments as
with the 6K vehicle. In addition, a shield was placed behind and to
the side of the operator, providing an additional 4dB(A) reduction to
87dB(A) (references 68,80).
The average noise levels of both of the 6K and 10K forklifts in
typical operation were within the 85dB(A) requirement. Since these two
items of equipment are relatively large materials handling vehicles
and are similar to construction vehicles, particularly loaders, it is
felt that almost any item of wheeled equipment can be reduced to a safe
average noise level.
830 MB Wheeler Tractor - The 830 MB noise control program was
initiated in January 1974 to reduce the operator noise of the tractor
to 85dB(A) average. In conjunction with other efforts in the Vehicle
Noise Control Program; a methodology for conducting similar programs is
being developed. The 830 MB Wheeler Tractor study and the status and
results of the Vehicle Noise Control Program are reviewed in reference
75. The 830 MB Wheeler Tractor program is to be completed in FY 1976.
6K Warehouse Forklift - This program was initiated to determine
the average noise level of this commercially available vehicle, to
reduce the average noise levels to 85dB(A), and to evaluate the feasi-
bility of reducing the noise level to 85dB(A) maximum. Engineering is
to be completed by FY 1976.
41
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Component Noise Control/Control Components
Hydraulic Noise - One of the more difficult problems is the reduction
of hydraulic noise. Major efforts were involved in isolating mounts and
covering up components, but it was felt that further basic work was need-
ed The initial approach was to try to select a "quiet" pump, but it was
determined that there were no satisfactory standards for measuring the
noise of pumps. Work was done in conjunction with Oklahoma State Uni-
versit? (OSD) and the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) to develop
a procedure which has subsequently been submitted to the International
Organization of Standardization (ISO). As the vehicle studies progressed,
it became apparent that although most pumps are rated as to the amount ot
noise they emit to the air, the real problem is the amount of noise
that is fluidborne and is released downstream at the hoses, valves, and
reservoirs. Levels reached the equivalent of over 200dB(A). It is inter-
esting to note that in either case the noise is more adversely dependent
upon the shaft speed than system pressure, but this is more true for ^
fluidborne noise. In this study, no attempt was made to develop a quiet
pump but rather to give an effective means to tradeoff performance param-
eters in order to reduce noise. Present work has been generally to study
the phenomenon of noise in hydraulic systems. This will continue in the
future along with the development of practical means to reduce noise
(references 76,77).
Acoustical Materials - During the studies on various vehicles, it
was necessary to use a wide range of absorption, damping, and barrier
materials. An attempt was made to select materials that would be compat-
ible with field operations. Construction equipment operates in a severe
environment, and military equipment has special problems of temperature
extremes, long periods of non-usage, and limited cleaning facilities.
Some difficulty was experienced in obtaining data on materials relating
to the effects of solar radiation, impregnation with dust and oil mist,
steam-cleaning battery acid, etc.
A series of tests were developed to simulate field conditions and
these were put in typical sequence. For example, one test related to
placing oil on a material exposed to high temperature and steam-cleaned.
Test procedures are given in reference 78.
3.3 EPA SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE RD&D PROGRAMS
3.3.1 Support of Regulations Development
The surface vehicle noise RD&D sponsored by the EPA is principally
associated with the development of surface transportation regulations
specified in the Noise Control Act of 1972. Specifically, the EPA re-
search has supported the development of regulations for control of noise
42
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from interstate motor carriers, interstate rail carriers, and new
medium and heavy duty trucks. A summary of the EPA research on surface
vehicle noise is presented in Table 3.11, The details of these activities
are described below.
Interstate Motor Carriers - A contract effort with Wyle Laboratories
was undertaken in June 1973 to conduct a cost and technology assessment
of the motor carrier industry with regard to noise abatement applications.
The contractor was to review all major noise emitting operations of
interstate motor carriers and describe them. This description was to
include, but not be limited to, a characterization of the noise profile,
an estimate of the number of people impacted by the noise, and an assess-
ment of how these people are impacted. In describing the technology
available to retrofit interstate motor carriers for compliance with
varying degrees of noise control, cost estimates were made of each level
of noise control achieved. Final reports (references 82,83) on this
contract have been submitted to EPA. The cost of this contract was
$130,000.
The services of Bolt, Beranek and Newman (BBN) were obtained
through the basic ordering agreement procedure for direct analysis work
on the dockets submitted during the development of the interstate motor
carrier regulation. No specific reports were produced but the output
from this effort was recorded in memorandums on a continuing basis dur-
ing the period of the contract and has been incorporated in the EPA
background document (reference 84) for the interstate motor carrier
noise regulation. Value of the basic ordering agreement for this effort
was $30,000.
Interstate Rail Carriers - Bolt, Beranek & Newman was awarded a
contract to assess the technology and cost of retrofit of the interstate
rail carrier fleet for compliance with various noise control levels as
determined by the availability of technology. This contract included
an assessment of available technology and the cost incurred to apply
those specific elements of available technology. Also, this contract
involved an analysis of the impact on the population from railroad
noise and the projected incremental changes in that impact as a result
of technology application to railroad noise sources. A series of
draft reports were prepared by the contractor and submitted to EPA for
review. The result of this study in major part was included in the
background document (reference 85) prepared by EPA and made available
to the public at the time of the publication of the proposed railroad
regulation. This contract effort is now complete and the level of
funding was $134,000,
As a result of additional requirements to refine the data base
in support of the proposed rail carrier regulation, BBN was contracted
through a basic ordering agreement to do additional specific work on the
43
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Table 3.11 SUMMARY OF EPA SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Total Fiscal Year Funding ($1,000)
Descriptive Title Investigators 1973 1974
Interstate Motor Carriers Wyle, BBN 170
Interstate Rail Carriers BBN & NBS 199
New Medium and Heavy Duty Wyle, BBN, A. T. Kearney 178
Trucks & NBS
TOTALS 369 178
(1) No FY 75 fiscal data available
-------
application of mufflers to the in-use locomotive fleet and to assist with
the analysis of the railroad docket. This effort is still underway
although several informal memorandums including additional data have
been submitted to EPA. Some of the information generated by this effort
is included in the background document (reference 85) published in
support of proposed rail carrier regulation. The amount of this con-
tract effort was $40,000.
The National Bureau of Standards through an interagency agreement
conducted a series of studies on railroad noise emission levels and
has published a joint EPA/NBS report (reference 86) on the results of
their study. The level of funding for this study was $25,000.
New Medium and Heavy Duty Trucks - Wyle Laboratories was contracted
to conduct an initial assessment of the cost and technology required to
produce new trucks having various levels of noise emissions. This was
an initial state-of-the-art study to assess available noise control
technology and to provide cost estimates representing the application of
this control technology. This study has been completed and a final
report (reference 87) is available. Cost of this study was $17,000.
Bolt, Beranek & Newman was contracted to continue the work in
technology and cost assessment initiated by Wyle Laboratories in re-
fining the data base upon which the medium and heavy duty truck regu-
lation could be developed. This effort involved a more detailed
look at the available technology and specific cost estimates to apply
that technology and was conducted in conjunction with the economic
analysis by A. T. Kearney (see below). The overall objectives were
to provide a total assessment of potential regulatory levels of noise
control on the industry and to form a basis for the Federal regulatory
action. This contract was completed in January 1974. The amount
of this contract effort was $110,000.
A. T. Kearney was contracted to do an indepth economic analysis
based on the cost estimates established during the study on the impact
of various strategies of noise control on medium and heavy duty trucks.
This analysis included both domestic and import/export impacts as a
result of various noise control strategies. This contract has been
completed. The resources required for this contract were $41,000. The
results of the BBN and A, T. Kearney studies have been combined and
included in the EPA background document (reference 88) for the proposed
medium and heavy truck noise regulation.
The National Bureau of Standards was asked, through interagency
agreement, to assess measurement methodologies which had highest
potential for use in a noise control regulation for medium and heavy
duty trucks. The final report (reference 89) of this study has been
completed and is available from either NBS or EPA. The amount of
resources for this study was $10,000.
45
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3.4 USDA SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE RD&D PROGRAMS
Surface vehicle noise RD&D activities are sponsored by the USDA
Forest Service and Cooperative State Research Service. Their programs are
summarized in Table 3.12 and are briefly described below.
3.4.1 Forest Service Programs
The broad mission and objective of the Forest Service is to m nage
and enhance the value of National Forests for the benefit of all U.S.
citizens. Forest Service Research is undertaken to develop the knowledge
and technologies required to accomplish this mission for all of America's
forests and related lands. The Forest Service noise abatement programs
are directed to improving both our living and working environments (a) by
effectively using trees and shrubs in the reduction of outdoor noises and
(b) by systematic development efforts directed toward reducing vehicle and
equipment noise levels. Accordingly the Forest Service has undertaken the
following two programs.
Use of Trees and Shrubs in Noise Abatement - Currently this program
is being carried out at Lincoln, Nebraska, in cooperation with the Depart-
ment of Engineering Mechanics, University of Nebraska. It is supported
by a cooperative grant of $20,000 (FY 74). It is the purpose of this
study to determine means for controlling intrusive noise by combining
trees and shrubs with land-forms or other solid barriers. The combined
use of solid barriers and plant material provide a usable and practical
approach for reducing noise levels under a number of conditions. This
study will develop guidelines for intrusive noise control. Additional
studies of this type are not planned following completion of the current
series of investigations. References 90, 91, and 92 are recent publi-
cations .
Reduction of Vehicle and Equipment Noise Levels - This program
is being carried out at the Equipment Development Center, San Dimas,
California, with current expenditures of: FY 74, $25,000, and FY 75,
$39,000. Equipment development efforts are directed toward reducing
the noise level of equipment used in and about forested areas both for
improving the environment and for the improved health and safety of
forest workers. This is an ongoing program of the Forest Service and
funding is expected to remain at about this level in the future.
Special equipment for this program is currently available at the San
Dimas Equipment Development Center. References 93 and 94 are recent
publications.
46
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Table 3.12 SUMMARY OF USDA SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE RD&D PROGRAMS
Descriptive Title
Use of Trees and Shrubs in
Noise Abatement
Reduction of Vehicle and
Equipment Noise Levels
Noise and Vibration of Off-
Road Equipment
(1)
Investigator
Univ. of Nebraska
In-House
Univ. of Illinois
TOTALS
Fiscal Year Funding ($1.000)
1973 1974 1975
20
4(29)
25
28(58)
73
39
39
(1) Values in parentheses are total resources for the project
Other values are the Federal contribution to the study.
-------
3.4.2 Cooperative State Research Service Program (GSRS)
Research on noise is supported as individual scientists or engineers
submit projects that are approved by GSRS. The Director of the Agricul-
tural Experiment Station, the Administrative-Technical Representative of
Forestry Schools where the research is located is responsible for allo-
cations of GSRS administered formula funds to approved projects. Grant
funds are allotted to projects generated again by university scientists.
The GSRS program for noise research encourages research activities
that are sound from the standpoint of science and engineering, reviews
projects submitted for funding approval, and coordinates research activ-
ities among the States and with other USDA research programs.
The noise research project pertinent to surface vehicle noise is
entitled, "Noise and Vibration of Off-Road Equipment". The study is
being conducted at the University of Illinois, Urbana and extends from
1-7-70 to 3-6-73.
3.5 NSF SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE RESEARCH
NSF sponsors research based upon the merits of unsolicited pro-
posals. Of these, there are three NSF noise research studies relating
to surface vehicles. These are identified in Table 3.13 and are briefly
described below.
Basic and Applied Studies of Noise - Specific work supported under
this grant will be basic research on the mechanics of tire noise, sound
generation and propagation in internal flows, and practical applications
of pitch sequencing. In the surface vehicle related portion a study
will be made of the sound generation by tire automotive tread patterns
under controlled laboratory situations. The objective will be to deter-
mine the amplitude and phasing of the directional sound generation from
single tread configurations, with a view towards using this information
in a superposition analysis of more complex patterns eventually leading
to quieter system designs.
Since the emphasis in this work is in noise from internal flows,
the resource allocations have not been included in the Federally sponsored
surface vehicle RD&D.
Effects of Building and other Boundaries on Motor Vehicle Noise -
The goal of the investigation is to find ways and means to reduce the
spread of noise pollution resulting from motor vehicles on highways,
thoroughfares, and urban rapid transit systems. The program will utilize
large models in an anechoic chamber, supplemented by field studies.
48
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Table 3.13 SUMMARY OF NSF SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE STUDIES
vo
Descriptive Title
Basic and Applied Studies
on NoiseCl)
Effects of Buildings and
Other Boundaries on Motor
Vehicle Noise
Noise and Vibration from
Transportation Vehicles
and Other Machinery
Investigators
Stanford Univ.
UCLA
Purdue Univ.
Fiscal Year Funding ($1.000)
1973 1974 1975
(87)
30
272
TOTALS
302
(1) Only minor portions of this study are related to
surface vehicle noise. Therefore, the total resources
in parentheses are not included in the totals.
-------
Noise and Vibration from Transportation Vehicles and Other Machinery -
To complement the ongoing research at the Ray W. Herrick Laboratories of
Purdue University, a broad range of research projects in noise control and
accoustics will be undertaken. These include: enclosure design, auto-
mobile engine noise source identification and reduction, noise attenuation
measurements in mufflers, tire noise generation, appliance noise reduction,
machine tool noise reduction, barrier design, community noise from rapid
transit vehicles, and other projects. A new addition, a semi-anechoic
facility will be built to accommodate many of the new projects. It has
been assumed that the principal activities in this effort will relate to
surface vehicle noise and therefore have included all of the identified
resource commitments in the Federal surface vehicle noise RD&D category.
3.6 NBS SURFACE .VEHICLE NOISE RD&D
There is currently no surface vehicle noise RD&D being sponsored
by the NBS. However, NBS does conduct research on surface vehicle
noise through interagency agreements. The description of work is pro-
vided in Appendix D. Table 3.14 is a listing of these studies. The
resources identified are included in the sponsoring agencies resource
allocations for surface vehicle noise RD&D.
50
-------
Table 3.14 SUMMARY OF NBS SURFACE VEHICLE RD&D SPONSORED THROUGH INTERAGENCY AGREEMENTS
Fiscal Year Funding ($1.000)
Descriptive Title Prior ot 1973 1973 1974 1975
Truck Tire Noise Studies (1) 468 100 100 200
20
DOD Noise Evaluation Tests of
Military Truck Tires
M EPA Train Noise Study
3-0
Methodology for the
Measurement of Noise
from Trucks
TOTALS
468 125 130 200
(1) Includes interior/exterior truck noise and automobile tire noise.
-------
4. ANALYSIS OF THE FEDERAL SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE RD&D ACTIVITIES
The Federal research activities to control surface vehicle noise
have been presented in Section 3 as integrated programs and/or projects
as developed and implemented by the agencies. As such, Section 3 provides
the perspective by which each agency views and treats the noise problem
associated with surface vehicles.
It is also useful, however, to examine the Federal programs collec-
tively to identify related and/or complementary activities which are
addressing specific sources or systems of surface vehicle noise. From
such an analysis, the emphasis in the current Federal efforts can be
ascertained. Section 4 provides a brief analysis to identify the surface
vehicle sources or systems which are receiving major emphasis in the
current Federal effort.
Surface vehicle sources of noise include mobile systems used in
transportation, construction, defense, recreation, and agriculture.
The Federal surface vehicle noise control technology RD&D programs can
generally be classified according to three, all -inclusive noise source
categories. These are highway vehicle noise, railway vehicle noise,
and off-highway vehicle noise. Highway vehicle noise sources include
trucks, buses, passenger cars, motorcycles. Railway sources encompass
conventional and highspeed or rapid transit railroad systems. Off-high-
way vehicles include construction and agricultural equipment, snowmobiles,
and motorboats.
In addition to the development of noise control technology for
individual sources, there are other Federal research activities dedicated
to noise. They are those associated with the characterization and/or
control of collective or area noise sources such as highways, construction
sites, and railway yards, and with the development and enforcement of
standards and regulations. Federal research in these areas can be
classified as those concerned with systems studies of noise and with
regulations support and enforcement.
Other Federal RD&D programs which are associated with noise are the
development of future or advanced surface vehicle systems. Although not
dedicated to noise, these programs can have a major impact on the control
of surface vehicle noise. Consequently, these programs have been
separately identified. However, specific noise tasks identified in
these programs will be related to the appropriate noise dedicated activity.
Table 4.1 is a summary of the Federal resource commitments for
RD&D programs addressing highway vehicle, railway vehicles and off-highway
vehicles noise control technology development, surface vehicle noise
systems studies, and regulations and enforcement. Federal allocations
53
-------
Table 4.1 SUMMARY OF FEDERAL SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE RD&D ACTIVITIES
Noise
Category Agency
Highway Vehicle DOT
Technology
Railway Vehicle DOT
Technology
Off-Highway Vehicle DOT
Technology DOD/ARMY
USDA
Noise Systems
Studies
Regulations and
Enforcement
Advance Systems
DOT
NSF
USDA
DOT
EPA
DOD/ARMY
DOT
TOTAL
TOTAL
TOTAL
TOTAL
TOTAL
Prior to
Fiscal Year Funding ($1,000)
T973 19/3 l^A(est)
1,708
-
100
100
301
301
57
802
330
469
4
473
350
350
672
369
215
727
250
50
395
53
498
857
302
20
1,179
272
178
270
1975*
695
160
39
199
310
310
130
57 1,256 720 130
Noise resource allocations not available
TOTAL
2,166
3,211
3,374
1,334
*FY 75 estimates known to be incomplete
-------
for the noise portions of advanced surface vehicle systems development
are not separable from other development costs and have not been
estimated. A brief discussion of the federal research activities in
these categories is presented in the following sections. There are
programs which have activities which relate to more than one category.
In these cases, the programs have been identified with resources
assigned to the category of greatest emphasis. However, the programs
are also listed in the other pertinent categories if appropriate.
4.1 HIGHWAY VEHICLE NOISE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY RD&D
Table 4.2 contains a listing of Federal RD&D activities associated
with the development of control technology for highway noise sources.
The primary emphasis in these efforts is truck noise, although major
efforts are indicated for control of bus noise. The majority of the
Federal efforts are those sponsored by DOT and address all of the
major component sources of truck noise. Future emphasis in control
of truck noise is in truck tires and engine mechanical and combustion
noise.
4.2 RAILWAY VEHICLE NOISE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY RD&D
The Federal RD&D programs directed toward the development of noise
control technology for railway noise sources are listed in Table 4.3.
While only one technology development program has been identified
specifically for conventional rail vehicles, several major programs
have been identified for rapid transit systems. DOT is the only agency
sponsoring noise control RD&D for railway vehicles.
4.3 OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE NOISE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY RD&D
The Federal RD&D programs directed toward the development of noise
control technology for off-highway vehicle noise sources are listed in
Table 4.4. These efforts address tracked and wheeled military combat
and construction vehicles, snowmobiles, and conventional diesel-engine-
powered construction equipment and are sponsored by DOD/ARMY, USDA, and
DOT. Although not identified specifically, there is evidence that DOD/
Navy sponsors some noise control technology RD&D in this category,
principally for watercraft. However, much of the DOD sponsored noise
control RD&D is classified and therefore not presently available for
general use. Much of the noise control technology being developed for
off-highway vehicles will have potential applications to the similar
highway vehicles and vice-versa.
55
-------
Table 4.2 FEDERAL CONTROL TECHNOLOGY RD&D PROGRAMS FOR HIGHWAY NOISE SOURCES
Noise Sources
Trucks
Ul
Buses
Passenger Cars
DOT
DOT
DOT
DOT
DOT
DOT
Descriptive Title of Program
Quiet Truck Program
Truck/Bus Retrofit
Exhaust/Intake Mufflers
Truck Noise Handbook
Basic Engine Noise Reduction
Truck Tire Noise Study
Truck Tire Noise Basic Research DOT
Engine Noise Support DOT
Vehicle Signature Program DOD/ARMY
(See Table 4.4)
Truck/Bus Retrofit (see above) DOT
Transit Bus Noise Reduction DOT
Potential
Transbus Program (Advanced DOT
System)
Passenger Car Tire Noise DOT
Basic and Applied Studies of NSF
Noise (See Table 3.13)
TOTAL
Sponsoring Fiscal Year Funding ($1.000)
Agency Prior to 1973 1973 1974(est) 1975*
1,046
75
468
119
100
450
28
15
100
80
100
72
20
245
100
150
40
245
200
250
26
1,708
802
727
695
FY 75 estimates known to be incomplete
Primarily inhouse effort
Program is not dedicated to noise resource allocations not available.
-------
Table 4.3 FEDERAL CONTROL TECHNOLOGY RD&D PROGRAMS FOR RAILWAY NOISE SOURCES
Noise Sources
Conventional
Railway
Sponsoring
Descriptive Title of Program Agency
Joint DOT/AAR Noise Research
DOT
Fiscal Year Funding ($1.000)
Prior to
1973 1973 1974(est) 1975*
(Noise Systems Study,Table 4.5)
Rapid Transit
Wheel/Rail Noise & Vibration DOT
Study
Elevated Structures Noise and DOT
Vibration
In service Noise Abatement DOT
Test and Evaluation
184
146
250
TOTALS
330
250
* FY 75 estimates are known to be incomplete
+ In-House
•H- Programs not dedicated to noise; noise resource allocations not available
-------
CO
Table 4.4 FEDERAL CONTROL TECHNOLOGY RD&D PROGRAMS FOR OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE NOISE SOURCES
Fiscal Year Funding ($1.000)
Prior to
Descriptive Title of Program
Vehicle Signature Reduction
Noise Reduction Program for
U.S. Army Construction
Vehicles
Reduction of Vehicle &
Equipment Noise Levels
Noise and Vibration of Off-
Road Equipment (see Table
3.12)
Construction Equipment
Mufflers
Sponsoring
Agency
DOD/ARMY
DOD/ARMY
USDA
USDA
DOT
Noise Sources
1973 1973 1974(est) 1975
Tracked Combat Vehicle 100
Wheeled Combat Vehicle
Construction Vehicles
Snowmobile
Engine Cooling Fans
Exhaust
Farm Equipment
Construction Vehicles
100 95
369 300
25
28
50
160
39
TOTALS
100 473 498 199
*FY 75 estimates are known to be incomplete
-------
4.4 SYSTEM STUDIES OF SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE
A number of Federal research programs have been identified which
address noise generated by surface vehicle systems. These studies are
dedicated to noise and are'generally multifaceted. They can encompass
development and testing of noise measurement methods, characterization
of noise generated and noise systems, modeling of noise, identification
of noise control methods, and KD&D of noise control technology. Since
these studies are of a broad nature, the results can have many applica-
tions. However, portions of those studies which have specific noise
source control technology development and demonstration objectives are
identified with the appropriate individual noise sources in previous
sections.
Table 4.5 is a listing of the known Federal noise studies of surface
vehicle systems. These relate primarily to highways and rapid transit
systems.
4.5 NOISE REGULATION AND ENFORCEMENT RESEARCH PROGRAMS
These research programs have been identified by the Federal agencies
as direct support to the development of specific standards and regula-
tions and the enforcement of regulations. While each study generally
addresses a specific objective, collectively the projects encompass a
broad range of subjects (i.e., measurements of source and area noise levels,
development of measurement methodologies, training, state-of-the art
technology, capital grants, etc.). However, the programs can be grouped
by their relationship to highway, railway, or off-highway noise control.
The identified Federal research projects relating to the development and
enforcement of surface vehicle regulations are listed in Table 4.6.
The emphasis in the current Federal efforts has been in support of high-
way noise regulations and enforcement.
4.6 ADVANCED SURFACE VEHICLE SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
A number of Federal RD&D programs have been identified which, relate
to the development of advanced or future surface vehicle systems. These
programs pertain exclusively to transportation systems and none are
dedicated to noise. Consequently, resource allocations for the noise
portions of the programs could not be readily ascertained. However,
where specific noise related tasks or objectives were identified, they
have been described in the appropriate sections on dedicated noise
RD&D. Generally, however, the programs are of a very comprehensive
nature and noise is considered principally as a design specification.
Table 4.7 is a listing of the advanced surface transportation systems
RD&D programs. The emphasis is on future mass transit systems and all
are sponsored by DOT.
59
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Table 4.5 FEDERAL SYSTEMS STUDIES OF SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE
Area of Study Descriptive Title of Program
Fiscal Year Funding ($1,000)
Sponsoring Agency Prior to 1973 1973 1974(est)
1975*
Surface Trans-
portation
Highway
Railways
Magnitude of Transportation Noise
General & Potential Abatement
Effects of Buildings and Othar
Boundaries on Motor Vehicle Noise
Noise and Vibration from Trans-
portation Vehicles & Other Machinery
NCKRP Project III
Scale Modeling Highway Noise
Scale Modeling Urban Traffic Noise
Barrier Parametrics
FHWA Highway Design Manual
Highway Barrier Effectiveness
Traffic Noise Study
Community Noise Study
Acoustic Materials Applications
The Use of Trees and Shrubs in
Noise Abatement
Joint DOT/AAR Noise Research
Rapid Transit System Noise Environment
New York City Transit System Study
Chicago Transit Authority Studies
Other Transit Authority Studies
DOT
NSF
NSF
DOT
DOT
DOT
DOT
DOT
DOT
DOT
DOT
DOT
USDA
DOT
DOT
DOT
DOT
DOT
(1)
120
79
43
43
16
TOTALS
301
+ Primarily in-house
+ FY 75 estimates known to be incomplete
(1) See Table 3.1
120
112
+
54
7
37
20
350
30
272
180
50
37
20
115
20
150
125
60
120
1,179
110
200
310
-------
Table 4.6 FEDERAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS IDENTIFIED WITH NOISE STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS ENFORCEMENT
Fiscal Year Funding ($1.000)
Program Area
Highway
Descriptive Title of Program
In Cab Noise Tests
Highway Noise Enforcement Training
and Equipment
Roadside Enforcement Sites
BMCS Training/Equipping
Development of Highway Noise
Standards PPM 90-2
PPM 90-2 Training Manual & Course
Purchase Specifications - Transit
Coaches
Interstate Motor Carrier Regulation
New Medium & Keavy Duty Trucks
Regulation
Conformance with Regulatory
Requirements
New System Specifications -
Capital Grants
Measurement of Railroad Noise
Interstate Rail Carrier
Regulation
Off-Highway Construction Equipment Standards
Railway
Sponsoring
Agency
DOT
DOT
DOT
DOT
DOT
DOT
DOT
EPA
EPA
DOD/ARMY
Prior to
1973 1973
450
+ +
132
170
215
1974(est)
70
100
22
178
270
1975*
_
50
+
-t-
—
DOT
DOT
EPA
DOT
57
-H-
199
90
80
80
TOTALS
57 1,256
+ Primarily in-house
•H- Program is not dedicated to noise, noise resource allocations indeterminate
* FY 75 estimates known to be incomplete
720
130
-------
Table 4.7 FEDERAL RD&D OF ADVANCED SURFACE VEHICLE SYSTEMS: TRANSPORTATION
N>
Type of System
Bus
Rapid Transit
Mass Transit
(General)
Sponsoring
Descriptive Title of Program Agency
Transbus Program DOT
Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) DOT
Program
Linear Induction Motor DOT
Research Vehicle
Magnetical Levitated DOT
Research Vehicle
Tracked Air Cushion DOT
Research Vehicle
Prototype Tracked Air DOT
Cushion Vehicle
State of Art Car DOT
Screech Loop-Pueblo DOT
Facility
Dual Mode Program DOT
Fiscal Year Funding ($1.000)
Prior to
1973 1973 1974 1975*
+ Primarily in-house
++ Program is not dedicated to noise, noise resource allocations indeterminant
-------
5. REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY
5.1 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
References
1. DOT Truck Noise Reduction Program, internal DOT description docu-
ment, 26 pages plus reference page and nineteen figures and tables
describing the planned facets of the DOT Truck Noise Program as
of late 1972.
2. Close, W.H., "DOT's Four Point Program to Reduce Truck Noise,
Automotive Engineering." Society of Automotive Engineers, February
1973, New York, New York. Volume 81, Number 2, pages 36-39. (This
is a summarized version of Reference 1.)
3. Statement of Work DOT Request for Proposal OS-20095 for Diesel
Truck Noise Reduction Project, Department of Transportation.
Washington, D.C., March 1972. (This describes the work to be
performed under the so called Quiet Truck Program.)
4. Kaye, Michael C., et al, Truck Noise IIIA Preliminary Noise Diag-
nosis of Freightliner Datum Truck-Tractor, Report Number DOT-TST-
73-6 May 1973, Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C.
5. Kay, Michael C. and Ungar, Eric E., Truck Noise IIIB Acoustic and
Performance Test Comparison of Initial Quieted Truck with Contem-
porary Production Trucks, Report Number DOT-TST-74-2 September 1973,
U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C.
6. Averill, Dwight and Patterson, W.N., The Design of a Cost Effective
Quiet Diesel Truck, SAE Paper 730714, presented at the West Coast
Meeting, Portland, Oregon, August 20-23, 1973. Available from
Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., New York, New York.
7. Staadt, Richard L., Less Noise from Diesel Trucks, SAE Paper 730712,
presented at the West Coast Meeting, Portland, Oregon, August 20-23,
1973. Available from Society of Automotive'Engineers, Inc., New
York, New York.
8. Thompson, J.W., An Engineering Approach to Diesel Truck Noise Re-
duction, SAE Paper 730713, presented at the West Coast Meeting,
Portland, Oregon, August 20-23, 1973. Available from Society of
Automotive Engineers, Inc., New York, New York.
9. Averill, Dwight and Patterson, W.N., The Design of a Quiet Diesel
Truck, Noise Con 73 Proceedings, pages 50-55, October 15-17, 1973.
Institute of Noise Control Engineering, Washington, D.C.
63
-------
10. Landis, E.E., International Harvester's Approach to Diesel Truck
Noise Reduction, Noise Con 73 Proceedings, pages 56-61, October
15-17, 1973. Institute of Noise Control Engineering, Washington,
D.C.
11. Wheeler, Donald E., White Motor Approach to Diesel Truck Noise
Reduction,Noise Con 73 Proceedings, pages 62-67, October 15-17,
1973. Institute of Noise Control Engineering, Washington, D.C.
12. Shrader, J.T., Cooling System Noise Reduction on Heavy Duty Trucks,
Noise Con 73 Proceedings, pages 68-73, October 15-17, 1973. In-
stitute of Noise Control Engineering, Washington, D.C.
13. Towers, David A., et al, Diesel Truck Engine Enclosure, Noise
Con 73 Proceedings, pages 74-79, October 15-17, 1973. Institute
of Noise Control Engineering, Washington, D.C.
14. Close, W.H., DOT Quiet Truck Program, Proceedings to Inter-Noise
74, Washington, D.C., October, 1974, pages 473-478.
15. Installation Status DOT Fan Clutch Program as of March 25, 1974,
1 page listing fan clutch manufacturer, number installed, truck
type, fleet location and type of operation.
16. Hunt, Raymond E.; Kirkland, Kenneth C.; Reyle, Stanley P., Truck
Noise VIA, Diesel Exhaust and Air Intake Noise, Report DOT-TSC-
OST-73-12 July 1973, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington,
D.C.
17. Donnelly, Thomas; Tokar, Joseph; & Wagner, Wayne, Truck Noise VIB
A Baseline Study of the Parameters Effecting Diesel Engine Intake
and Exhaust Silencer Design, Report Number DOT-TSC-OST-73-38
January 1974, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C.
18. Rowley, D.; Pridka, N., State-of-the-Art of Present Day Intake
and Exhaust Systems, Noise Con 73 Proceedings, pages 80-85, Octo-
ber 15-17, 1973. Institute of Noise Control Engineering, Washing-
ton, D.C.
19. Request for Proposal Number TSC/TMP-0134-WB, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Transportation Systems Center, Cambridge, Massa-
chusetts, dated March 23, 1973.
20. Leasure, W.A. Jr., et al, Interior/Exterior Noise Levels of Over-
the-Road Trucks: Report of Tests, NBS Technical Note 737, National
Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.C., September, 1972.
64
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21. Close, William H.; Clarke, Robert M., Truck Noise II, Interior
and Exterior A-Weighted Sound Levels of Typical Highway Trucks,
Report OST/TST-72-2 July 1972, U.S. Department of Transportation,
Washington, B.C.
22. Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Part 393, Parts and Accessories
Necessary for Safe Operation Vehicle Interior Noise Levels. Final
rule promulgated by the Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety establish-
ing test procedures and enforcement levels for the safe interior
noise level exposure of drivers relative to established hearing
conservation criteria signed October 31, 1973, U.S. Department
of Transportation, Washington, D.C.
23. Seiff, Henry E., Enforcement of Federal Motor Carrier Noise Regu-
lation, Noiffe Con 73 Proceedings, pages 72-74, October 15-17,
1973. Institute of Noise Control Engineering, Washington, D.C.
24. Work Statement, Contract DOT-HS-241-420, "Vehicular Stresses
Leading to Degradation of Driver Performance in Trucks, Buses
and Passenger Cars," being performed by Human Factors Research,
Inc.
25. Anon, Truck Noise I Peak A-weighted Sound Levels Due to Truck
Tires, Report OST-ONA-71-9 September 1970, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Washington, D.C.
26. Leasure, William A. Jr., et al, Truck Noise I Peak A-weighted Sound
Levels Due to Truck Tires—Addendum, Report Number OST/TST-72-1
July 1972, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C.
27. Leasure, W.A. Jr., et al, Truck Noise 1A: Noise Evaluation Tests
of Military Truck Tires, Report DOT-TST-74-21, National Bureau of
Standards, Washington, D.C., February 1974.
28. Close, William H., Truck Tire Noise: User Implications; Noisexpo
73 Proceedings, pages 67-72, September 11-13, 1973, Chicago,
Illinois. Copies available from Noisexpo, Bay Village, Ohio.
29. Leasure, William A. Jr. and Bender, Eric K., Tire—Road Inter-
action Noise, paper to be published in the Journal of the Acousti-
cal Society of America, prepared under the auspices of the ASA
Coordinating Committee on Environmental Acoustics.
30. Leasure, W.A. Jr., Truck Tire Noise - Preliminary Results of a
Field Measurement Program, Proceedings of the Purdue Noise Control
Conference, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, July 1971,
pages 41-48.
65
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31. Leasure, W.A. Jr. and Bender, E.K., Tire Road Interaction Noise,
Proceedings of Inter-Noise 73, Copenhagen, Denmark, August, 1973,
pages 421-425.
32. Leasure, W.A. Jr., Automobile Tire Noise: A Review of the Open
Literature, Proceedings of Noise - Con 73, Washington, B.C.,
October, 1973, pages 187-195.
33. Foster, Charles R., Statement: Before EPA Public Hearing on Inter-
state Motor Carrier Noise Regulations, March 21, 1974, Washing-
ton, D.C.
34. State of California Motor Vehicle Code Sections 27502 and 27503
pertaining to the establishment by California of noise standards
for tire relative to the sale of such tires.
35. Reiter, William F. Jr., Investigation of Vibration in Truck Tire
Noise Generation, August 1973, Publication of the Center for
Acoustical Studies, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engi-
neering, North Carolina State University.
36. Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., Standard J366b entitled
Exterior Sound Level for Heavy Trucks and Buses.
37. Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., Recommended Practice J57,
Sound Level for Highway Truck Tires.
38. Department of Transportation, Vehicle Noise Enforcement, Volume 1
of course curriculum material provided during DOT/CHP Training
Program on Highway Noise Enforcement, May & June 1973, Sacramento,
California.
39. U.S. Department of Transportation Vehicle Noise Enforcement, Vol-
ume 2 back-up information provided during training program in
Sacramento including manufacturer muffler catalogs and other
pertinent data.
40. Vehicle Noise Enforcement synchronous tape/slide package for ad-
ministrators (carousel containing 122 slides, cassette tape and
script).
41. Vehicle Noise Enforcement synchronous tape/slide package contain-
ing 140 slides in carousel plus cassette tape and script for
instructors.
42. California Highway Patrol Final Report, Vehicle Noise Enforcement
Training Program, August 15, 1973, prepared for U.S. Department
of Transportation, Washington, D.C.
66
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A3. Anon, A Study of the Magnitude of Transportation Noise Generation
and Potential Abatement, Volume IV Motor Vehicle/Highway Systems,
U.S. Department of Transportation Report OST-ONA-71-1, Serendipity,
Inc., November 1970.
44. Kwize, V.J., et al, Users Manual for the Prediction of Road
Traffic Noise - Computer Program, U.S. Department of Transporta-
tion Report DOT-TSC-351-1, Bolt, Beranek and Newman, Inc., May
1972.
45. Wesler, J.E., Manual for Highway Noise Prediction, U.S. Department
of Transportation Report DOT-TSC-FHWA-72-1, March 1972.
46. Wesler, J.E., Manual for Highway Noise Prediction (Short Version),
U.S. Department of Transportation Report DOT-TSC-FHWA-72-2, March
1972.
47. Federal-Aid Highway Program Manual, Volume 7 Chapter 7 Section 3,
Noise Standards and Procedures, U.S. Department of Transportation,
Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C. (latest revision
February 20, 1974. This section was formerly known as Program
and Procedures Manual 90-2).
48. Anon, Fundamentals and Abatement of Highway Traffic Noise (Text-
book and Training Course), U.S. Department of Transportation -
Federal Highway Administration by Bolt, Beranek and Newman, Inc.,
1973.
49. Rickley, E.J., et al, Wayside Noise and Vibration of High Speed
Trains in the Northeast Corridor, U.S. Department of Transpor-
tation Report DOT-TSC-OST-73-18, September 1973.
50. Close, W.H. and Athinson, T., "Technical Basis for Motor Carrier
and Railroad Noise Regulations", Sound and Vibration Magazine,
October 1973, pages 28-33.
51. Rickley, E.J., et al, Noise Level Measurements of Railroads:
Freight Yards and Wayside, U.S. Department of Transportation
Report DOT-TSC-OST-73-46 (to be published).
5.2 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
5.2.1 DOD/TACOM
References
52. Military Standard 1474, "Noise Limits for Army Material," March 1,
1973, U.S. Government Printing Office: 1973-714-917/1266.
67
-------
53. TACOM Report No. 11314, "A Survey of Research in Noise Pollution
Reduction Applicable to Military Vehicles."
54. TACOM Report No. 11710, "Test Results, U.S. Army Ground Vehicle
Noise Studies, Yuma Proving Ground."
55. DOT Report No. TST 74-21, "Noise Evaluation Tests of Military
Truck Tires."
56. TACOM Report No. 11761, "Military Vehicle Signature Collection and
Classification Program, Phase II."
57. TACOM Report No. 11920, "Development of Noise Reduction Kits for
a U.S. Army M813A1 5 Ton Truck."
58. TACOM Report No. 11949, "Prediction of Acoustic Detectability."
Bibliography
59. TACOM Report No. 10720, "Signature Characteristics of M656 Cargo
Truck."
60. TACOM Report No. 10144(c), "Noise Reduction Test of XM 706."
61. TACOM Report No. 10012(c), "Noise Tests of M551."
62. TACOM Report No. 10089(c), "Noise Specification for the ARSV-
XM800."
63. TACOM Report No. 9907(c), "Noise Reduction in Military Vehicles,
Sound Pressure Levels and Distance to Inaudibility."
64. TACOM Report No. 9680(c), "Comparison of the Noise Emission of
the M35A1, M543A2, and MAZ-200 Trucks."
65. TACOM Report No. 9618(c), "Noise Investigation of the MAZ-200."
66. TACOM Report No. 9467, "Noise Reduction in Military Vehicles."
5.2.2 DOD/MERDC
References
67. SAE Recommended Practice J919a, "Sound Level Measurements at the
Operator Station for Agricultural and Construction Equipment
(1971)."
68
-------
68. "Final Report of Noise Reduction Study on Army Forklift," H.L.
Blachford, Inc. Report No. 0473, AD786595.
69. Kamperraan, G.W., "Techniques for Describing Operator Noise Ex-
posure for Army Construction and Materials Handling Equipment."
70. SAE Recommended Practice J88, "Exterior Sound Level Measurement
Procedure for Powered Mobile Construction Equipment."
71. Military Standard 1474A, "Noise Limits for Army Material," to be
published March 1975, U.S. Naval Printing Office, Philadelphia,
Pa.
72. Damotte, E.E., "Final Report Noise Level Study," Caterpillar
Tractor Co. Report No. E70-220, September 1972.
73. Hopler, P.O. and Wehr, S.E., "Noise Reduction Program for U.S.
Army Construction Equipment," SAE Paper No. 740714, National
Combined Farm, Construction, Industrial Machinery and Power Plant
Meetings, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 9-12, 1974.
74. Wehr, S.E., "Noise Exposure Monitoring on Operators of U.S. Army
Construction and Materials Handling Equipment." To be presented
at Inter-Noise 74, Washington, D.C., October 1974.
75. Kamperman, G.W., "Noise Control Methodology for Army Construction
and Material Handling Equipment," to be presented to Commander,
U.S. Army MERDC, STSFB-HM, Ft. Belvoir, Va. 22060, Attn. Samuel
Wehr.
76. "Hydraulic System Noise Study," Oklahoma State University, Still-
water, December 1973, AD75776 (1972) and AD779466 (1973).
77. Maroney, G.E. and Elliott, L.R., "Hydraulic and Mechanical Factors
Affecting Pump Airborne Noise Measurements," SAE Transactions,
Vol. 82(1973), paper 730874.
78. "Environmental and Acoustical Test Program on Acoustic Materials,"
Dayton T. Brown, Inc., Report DTB03R73-0925.
Bibliography
79. Thien, G.E., "The Use of Specially Designed Covers and Shields to
Reduce Diesel Engine Noise," SAE Transactions, Vol. 82(1973),
paper 730244.
80. Baker, R.N., "Noise Control at the Operator's Ear of a Large Army
Forklift Truck," to be presented at Inter-Noise 74, Washington,
D.C., October 1974.
69
-------
81. U.S. Army Human Engineering Laboratory, Standard HEL S-1-63C.
5.3 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
References
82. Plotkin, Dr. K.J., "A Model for the Prediction of Highway Noise
and Assessment of Strategies for its Abatement through Vehicle
Noise Control," Wyle Research Report #WR74-5, EPA Contract #68-
01-1860, to be published by EPA.
83. Sharp, Dr. B.H., "Roadside Measurements of Peak Pass-by Noise from
Medium and Heavy Trucks," EPA Contract #68-01-1860, to be pub-
lished by EPA.
84. EPA, "Background Document for Interstate Motor Carrier Noise
Emissions Regulation," October, 1974, EPA-550-9-74-017. Copies
can be obtained from the Office of Public Affairs, EPA, Rm. 329-C,
Waterside Mall, 401 M St., S.W., Washington, D.C.,20460.
85. EPA, "Background Document/Environmental Explanation for the Pro-
posed Interstate Rail Carrier Noise Emission Regulations," June
1974, EPA-550-9-74-005a. Copies can be obtained from the EPA
Office of Public Affairs, Rm. 329-C, Waterside Mall, 401 M St.,
S.W., Washington, D.C., 20460.
86. Path, J.M.; Blomquist, D.S.; Heinen, J.M.; and Tarica, M., "Mea-
surements of Railroad Noise - Line Operations, Yard Boundaries,
and Retarders," December, 1974, Joint EPA/NBS report NBSIR 74-488,
EPA-550-9-74-007.
87. Warnix, James L. and Sharpe, Dr. B.H., "Cost Effectiveness Study
of Major Sources of Noise, Vol. I, Medium and Heavy Trucks," Wyle
Research Report #WR 74-5, EPA Contract #68-01-1860.
88. EPA, "Background Document for Proposed Medium and Heavy Truck
Noise Regulation," October, 1974, EPA-550-9-74-018. Copies can
be obtained from the Office of Public Affairs, EPA, 401 M St.,
S.W., Washington, D.C., 20460.
89. Leasure, W.A. Jr. and Quindry, T.L., "Methodology and Supporting
Documentation for the Measurement of Noise from Medium and Heavy
Trucks," NBSIR 74-517, June, 1974.
70
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5.4 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
5.4.1 Forest Service
References
90. Van Haverbeke, D.F. and Cook, D.I.,1972, "Green Mufflers," Ameri-
can Forests 78(11):28-31.
91. Van Haverbeke, D.F. and Cook, D.I.,1974, Part I, "Studies in
Noise Pollution Reduction," American Nurseryman (June 1), 2 p.
92. Van Haverbeke, D.F. and Cook, D.I.,1974, Part II, "Suggested
Plantings for Reducing Noise Pollution," American Nurseryman
(June 15), 2 p.
93. Harrison, R.T., 1974, "Snowmobile Noise," Equipment Development
and Test Report 7120-5, Forest Service, USDA, 48 p.
94. Harrison, R.T., 1974, "Sound Propagation and Annoyance Under
Forest Conditions," Equipment Development and Test Report 7120-6,
Forest Service, USDA, 35 p.
Bibliography
95. Cook, D.I. and Van Haverbeke, D.F, 1971, Trees and Shrubs for
Noise Abatement, In: "Tree and Forests in an Urban Environment,"
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts.
96. Ibid, "The Role of Trees and Shrubs in Noise Abatement," Pro-
ceedings, The Role of Trees in the South's Urban Environment,
University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.
97. Grantham, J.B., 1971, "Airborne-Noise Control in Lightweight
Floor Ceiling Systems," Sound and Vibration 5(6):12-16.
98. Heebink, T.B. and Grantham, J.B., 1971, "Field Laboratory STC
Ratings of Wood-Framed Partitions," Sound and Vibration 5(10).
99. Anderson, L.O., et al, 1971, "Construction Guides for Exposed
Wood Decks," Pacific Northwest, Forest Service, Miscellaneous
Publication.
100. Leonard, R.E., 1971, "Effect of Trees and Forests in Noise Abate-
ment," Trees and Forests in an Urbanizing Environment, University
of Massachusetts Symposium Proceedings, pp. 35-38. (NE).
101. Leonard, R.E. and Herrington, L.P., 1971, "Noise Abatement in a
Pine Plantation," USDA Forest Service Research Note NE-140,6 p.(NE)
71
-------
5.4.2 Cooperative State Research Service
Bibliography
102. Hanson, J.E.; Sjoflot, L. and Suggs, C.W., 1970, "Matching the
Farm Machine of the Operator's Capabilities and Limitations,"
Implement and Tractor 85(18):10-13.
103. Aylor, D.E., 1972, "Noise Reduction by Vegetation and Ground,"
J. Acoust. Soc. Amer., 51:197-205.
104. Ibid, 1972, "Sound Transmission Through Vegetation in Relation to
Leaf Area Density, Leaf Width, and Breadth of Canopy," J. Acoust.
Soc. Amer., 51:411-414.
105. Ibid, 1972, "Muffling Noise with Soil, Plants," Grounds Maintenance,
7(8):20-22.
72
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6. APPENDICES
CONTENTS: PAGE NO.
Appendix A - Surface Vehicle Noise Research Panel Members 75
Appendix B - Information Requested by EPA on the Federal 77
Noise RD&D Programs and Projects
Appendix C - Glossary of Acronyms 87
Appendix D - NBS Research on Surface Vehicle Noise 89
73
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APPENDIX A
SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE RESEARCH PANEL MEMBERS
Osman A. Shinaishin (Chairman) 202-755-0449
Noise Technology Staff, RD-681
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20460
William H. Close 202-426-4560
Office of Noise Abatement
Department of Transportation
Transport Building TST-54
2100 Second St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590 /
William Leasure 301-921-3381
Applied Acoustics Section
National Bureau of Standards
Room A149 Sound Building
Washington, D.C. 20234
Donald W. Rees (TACOM) 313-573-1653
Department of the Army
U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Command
Warren, Michigan 48090
William Roper 703-557-1180
Office of Noise Abatement and Control (AW-571)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1921 Jefferson Davis Highway
CM-2
Arlington, Va. 20460
George Winzer 202-755-5597
Manager, Environmental Research
Room 4210
Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 Seventh St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20410
75
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APPENDIX B
INFORMATION REQUESTED BY
EPA ON THE FEDERAL NOISE
RD&D PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
-------
INSTRUCTIONS
The objectives of this information-gathering document is to assemble
the data necessary to describe the over-all efforts within the Federal
Government dealing with noise research, development and demonstration
programs. The results will be used as a portion of the EPA report to the
President and Congress on the status of Federal noise programs and to aid
in coordination of Federal noise research efforts within Government
agencies. The process is dynamic requiring that the data base be updated
periodically to reflect changes in efforts, emphasis, expenditure of
funds or completion of programs or projects.
The information requested on noise related programs and projects
deal with the following areas:
• Program (Project) description,
• Technical goals and achievements.
• Financial and manpower resources devoted and required.
• Facilities used or required, and
• Key personnel.
The enclosed questionnaire is designed to reflect, as clearly as
possible, the type of information required, but is not intended as a
rigid format, hence, any agency forms that will furnish the required
information easier than the questionnaire should be used by all means.
If the questionnaire is used, notice should be made that:
1. Additional sheets may be used, and are encouraged, to furnish
more details if the space provided is not adequate.
2. There is always a risk of not supplying enough information for the
desired visibility of any program (project), but there is no risk
of giving too lengthy information since this can easily be
adapted to the overall report intensity or detail.
3. If the questionnaire forms miss entire aspects of program
information, it is encouraged, in fact necessary, that you add
these aspects under additional proper titles.
^14^ W *• MkU- b JUW ** } A. to •** h^ ^fc*^^ M4U Mfc^v V» § ^>«h «•- »•» •»•• *
these aspects under additional proper
4. If your agency has a documented (or computer-stored) plan-
program-project outlay with the required information it is
strongly urged that it be included in the response.
79
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5. The program (project) information supplied should reflect
actual FY 73 funding, allocated FY 74 and projections for
FY 75 and later years.
6. For programs (projects) in which noise is only a part or
a consideration it is requested that information should
be given on:
A. Program (project) specifics as outlined in the
questionnaire.
B. Additional statement on the relationship of the
noise-related effort to the over-all scope of
the program (project).
7. Finally, for any desired clarification of questions on this
document, please call Dr. Eugene E. Berkau of the EPA at
202-755-0449.
The response to this questionnaire is requested by April 19, 1974,
80
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Definitions in Responding
to the Form Titled
"FEDERAL NOISE RD & D PROGRAM SUMMARY"
Iteir
1. Program Title
2. Agency Program Number
3. Agency or Department
4. Interagency Agreements
in Effect
5. Subdivision Directing
Work
6. Other Key Personnel
7. Principal Contractors
8, Technical Program
Goals
9. Method of Approach
10. Problem Areas
11. Total Resource
Allocation
e Funding
Remarks
The formal agency title of record
The formal number of record; if programs
are not numbered, write 'none'.
Parent organization (e.g., DOT, DHEW).
Identify other agencies or departments
participating in the program and a
brief description of their tasks.
Organizational element where program
responsibility exists (NIOSH/Physical
Agent Branch) Name of Head.
Additional leading personnel involved
in administrative or technical manage-
ment of overall program.
Identify contractors doing work for
agency at the program (not the project)
level.
Those considered environmental goals,
like quieting a specific machine by
lOdB, or improving the reliability and
sensitivity of needed instrumentation
systems,
Plans or Methodology for achieving
program objectives.
Identified technical, funding, and/or
facilities problems.
The level of program funding devoted to
noise RD&D distributed with time.
81
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12. Component Projects
13. Schedules and Milestones
14. Principal Accomplishments
15. Program Reports, etc.
Remarks
The level of program manpower
resources devoted to noise RD&D
distributed with time.
A list of descriptive titles of
those noise related projects
within this program.
Show the current schedule and mile-
stones.; the "revised" column is for
future use.
State achievements accomplished or
within reach.
Confine this to those stemming from
the overall program rather than the
individual project. Include pro-
ceedings of symposia and conferences
and papers in the professional
literature as wel-l as project
reports and documents.
Note: A Federal noise RD&D program includes each program in which noise
is a significant (one or more projects), identifiable program
element.
82
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Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Dovelopinont
FEDERAL NOISE RD&D PROGRAM SUMMARY
Agency or Department
Subdivision Directing Program/Head's Name, Title and Address
B
Name, Title, Address of Program Manager
Names and Titles of Other Key Program Personnel
Cooperating Agency or Department and Subdivision (if ar.y)
Program Contractor or Grantee (if any)
Program Title
Authority (e.g..Public Laws, Agency/.
Department Directives, etc.)
Agency Program Number
Date This Form is
Filled
Date of Program Start
Scheduled Date of Program
Completion.
83
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Check appropriate classification^) of program
Research 1 | Development j 1 Demonstration
] — J Operations Research r~j Other (Describe)
— and/or Economic Benefit ^—'
Program General Objectives
Program Specific Goals:
Planned Approach: (Attach additional sheets if necessary)
Problem Areas:
84
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t-l
*-».£
rj 60
t-l D
a o
e n
3.C
FY 72
D
u
o
FY 73
•a
O
O
FY 74
Projected
FY 75
FY 76 FY 77 FY 78 FY 79
Funding
$Thousand
Man-Years
Program Schedules and Milestones
(Detailed schedules and milestones
may also be cited and appended to
this response.)
Status
Milestone
Scheduled I „ Date . ' ..Date ;
Completion' Completed cn^Revised :
Date I
Agency/Project No.
Component Projects
Descriptive/Project Title
Project Manager
85
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Principal Accomplishments to Date (Include accomplishments
relative to program goals or attained from combined project-
achievements)
Program Reports, Documents and Papers Published to Date:
(List items' attributed to the program. Complete biliographic
reference is desired/author, title, date, agency, document.)
86
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APPENDIX C
GLOSSARY OF ACRONYMS
I. Federal Departments and Agencies
AMC - Army Materiel Command
BMCS - Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety/DOT
BuM - Bureau of Mines/DOI
CSRS - Cooperative State Research Service/USDA
DOC - Department of Commerce
DOD - Department of Defense
DOI - Department of Interior
DOL - Department of Labor
DOT - Department of Transportation
EPA - Environmental Protection Agency
FHWA - Federal Highway Administration/DOT
HEW - Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
HUD - Department of Housing and Urban Development
MERDC - U.S. Army Mobility Equipment Research and
Development Center/DOD
NADC - Naval Air Development Center/DOD
NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NBS - National Bureau of Standards/DOC
NIEHS - National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences/HEW
NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke/HEW
87
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NIOSH - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health/HEW
NSF - National Science Foundation
ONAC - Office of Noise Abatement and Control/EPA
ORD - Office of Research and Development/EPA
OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration/DOL
OVSR - Office of Vehicle Systems Research/NBS
RADC - Air Force Rome Air Development Center/DOD
TACOM - U.S. Army Tank Automotive Command/DOD
TECOM - U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command/DOD
TSC - Transportation Systems Center/DOT
UMTA - Urban Mass Transportation Administration/DOT
USDA - U.S. Department of Agriculture
WES - Army Corp of Engineer Waterway Experiment Station/DOD
Trade Associations
AAR - Association of American Railroads
ASHO - Association of State Highway Officials
HRB - Highway Research Board/OSHO
MVMA - Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association
NFPA - National Fluid Power Association
SAE - Society of Automotive Engineers
-------
APPENDIX D
NBS RESEARCH ON SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE
89
-------
Table D-l SUMMARY SURFACE VEHICLE NOISE RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY NBS
Funding Agency
DOT
vo
o
DOD
EPA
Title
Truck Tire Noise Studies
(includes passenger car
tire noise, interior/
exterior sound levels
from over-the-road
trucks, and feasibility
of an acoustical grading
system for tires).
Noise evaluation tests
of military truck tires.
Train Noise Study
Methodology for the
measurement of noise
from trucks.
Objectives
To provide a
scientific basis
for designing
quieter tires.
Fiscal Year Funding ($1,000)
Prior to
1973 1973 1974 1975(est)
468
100
100
200
To develop a data
base on tire noise
levels of selected
military and commer-
cial truck tires.
To develop a data base
on railroad noise
emission.
Develop appropriate
measurement methodology
for use by EPA in the
regulation of new
trucks.
20
25
10
-------
NBS RESEARCH ON SURFACE TRANSPORTATION NOISE
NBS FUNDING: No current programs.
OTHER AGENCY FUNDING:
la. Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/
Office of Noise Abatement and Control
Objectives: Develop appropriate measurement methodologies
as technical support to the EPA in their implementation of
the Noise Control Act of 1972, and, where necessary, conduct
research to provide EPA with a defensible posture as regards
to measurement methodology.
Approach: Establish and conduct meetings with an ad-hoc
task force of experts (acousticians, manufacturers and users)
in order to develop the rationale and necessary input for the
measurement methodology for medium and heavy trucks. Conduct
field measurements to characterize rail line and yard opera-
tions and retarder noise.
Future Plans: Conduct work where necessary and as requested
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Accomplishments: Completed the field measurement portion
of the rail yard and line noise characterization study.
Assembled and met with task forces in the area of interior
rapid rail transit noise and construction noise — especially
crawler and wheeled tractors — for the purpose of developing
the rationale and inputs for an appropriate measurement
methodology. A preliminary draft measurement methodology
resulted from each of the meetings, Assembled and met with
task force in the area of medium and heavy trucks. Developed
and appropriate measurement methodology and supporting
documentation for medium and heavy trucks.
Publications:
Fath, J. M., Blomquist, D, S., Heinen, J. M., and
Tarica, M., "Measurements of Railroad Noise - Line
Operation, Yard Boundaries, and Retarders", December,
1974, Joint EPA/NBS report NBS 74-488, EPA 550/9-74-007.
91
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NBS RESEARCH ON SURFACE TRANSPORTATION NOISE (Con't)
Leasure, W. A., Jr., and Quindry, T. L., "Methodology
and Supporting Documentation for Measurement of Noise
from Medium and Heavy Trucks", NBSIR 74-517, June, 1974.
Allocations: FY-73 FY 74 FY 75(est) FY 76(est)
k$: 23 12
Man-Years: 0.6 0.3
Ib. Sponsoring Agency: Office of Noise Control, U,S, Department
of Transportation
Objectives: Identify and quantify the physical parameters
which affect the noise generated by surface transportation,
especially trucks and truck tires, and develop appropriate
information bases and standardized testing procedures which
may lead to highway noise reduction criteria, standards, and
regulations.
Approach: (1) Expand the existing data base on truck tire
noise to include both passenger car and military truck tires.
(2) Evaluate the spectral and directional characteristics of
truck tires and of their relationship to tire-noise generation
mechanisms. (3) Establish the effect of surface roughness
on generated noise levels by correlation studies of surface
texture (as characterized by profile spectral analysis) with
passby noise levels for tires. (4) Prepare a report on tire
noise measurement methodology which will serve the State of
California as the basis for their regulations on allowable
noise levels permissible for truck and passenger car tires.
Future Plans: Conduct work as necessary and where requested
by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Accomplishments: (1) Complete (contract) work on the
characterization of pavement macrotexture by profile spectral
analysis, (2) completed preliminary measurements and analysis
of automobile tire noise, (3) complete narrow band analysis
and plot generation needed for the reports on appropriate
measurement methodology for tire certification testing and
the spectral and directionality characteristics of truck
tire noise which will be published, (4) completed the data
acquisition portion of a truck tire noise versus pavement
surface study, (5) developed an empirical model for the
prediction of in-service tire noise levels for over-the-
92
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NBS RESEARCH ON SURFACE TRANSPORTATION NOISE (Con't)
road vehicles baaed on A-weighted sound level versus time (or
distance) data for a 50 mph (80 kmh) coastby certification
test utilizing a single chassis vehicle, (6) completed
studies of military truck tire noise and automobile tire
pavement interaction, and (7) initiated reports on expanded
data base for truck tire noise and on measurement methodology
for tire certification.
Publications:
Leasure, W. A. Jr., et. al., Truck Noise I Peak A-
Weighted Sound Levels Due to Truck Tires - Addendum,
Report Number OST/TST-72-1, July 1972, U.S. Department
of Transportation, Washington, D.C.
Corley, D. M., "Test of a Proposed Method for Vehicle
Noise Measurement" Proceedings of Noise-Con 73,
Washington, B.C., 230-235 (Oct. 15-17, 1973).
Leasure, W. A., Jr., "Automobile Tire Noise: A Review
of the Open Literature", Proceedings of Noise-Con 73,
Washington, B.C., 187-195 (Oct. 15-17, 1973).
Leasure, W. A., Jr., and Mathews, D. E., "Pecos Truck
Tire Noise Study: A Summary of Results", NBSIR 74-446,
National Bureau of Standards, Washington, B.C.
(January 1974).
Leasure, W. A., Jr., Mathews, B. E., and Rinkinen, W. J.,
"Noise Evaluation Tests of Military Truck Tires",
submitted for publication as a Department of Transportation
report.
Allocations: FY 73 FY 74 FY 75(est) FY 76(est)
k$: 100 100
Man-Years: 2.0 2.0
93
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TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read iHUructivns on the reverse before completing)
1. REPORT NO.
600/2-75-002
J. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION NO.
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
Federal Surface Veh'icle Noise Research, Development
and Demonstration Programs
FY73-FY.75
5. REPORT DATE
MARCH, 1975
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOH(S)
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
Interagency Surface Vehicle Noise Research Panel
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Interagency Surface Vehicle Noise. Research Panel(RD-68]
Office of Research and Development
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
) 1GB090
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Final, FY73 through FY75
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
IS. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
EPA Contact: Eugene E. Berkau, 202-755-0449
16. ABSTRACT The interagency Surface Vehicle Noise Research Panel was established by the
Invironmental Protection Agency to aid EPA in fulfilling it's responsibility for
coordinating the Federal noise research activities. As its initial task, the Panel
prepared this report summarizing the Federal governments' surface vehicle noise
research, development, and demonstration activities. The Federal agencies which spon-
sor and/or conduct the major portion of the surface vehicle noise RD&D are represented
on the Panel. They are the Department of Transportation, the Department of
Commerce/National Bureau of Standards, the Department of Defense, and the EPA. Other
agencies whlr-Vi spor.sor surface vuliicle noise research are the Department of Agriculture
and the National Science Foundation. The report contains brief descriptions and fiscal
data for the agencies' programs. Emphasis is on fiscal years 1973 through 1975.
Also included are references and bibliographies of reports and publications which
have resulted from the Federal surface vehicle RD&D activities.
17.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
U.IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS
c. COSATI Reid/Group
Acoustics
Noise (sound)
Noise reduction
Engine noise
Internal combustion
engine
Research
Research projects
Ground transportatior
equipment
Ground vehicles
Water vehicles
Construction vehicles
Combat.vehicles•
Federal budgets
Federal noise RT»&D
Federal noise coordinate
Research Coordination
Surface vehicle
Surface transportation
on
2001 '
1406
1306
1303
1903
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
Release Unlimited
19. SECURITY CLASS (I'llii Keport)
Unclassified
21. NO. OF PAGES
20. SECURITY CLASS (Till* PJHC
Unclassified
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
95
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