-------
The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or pro-
motional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official indorsement
or approval of the use of such commercial products. The findings of this report are not
to be construed as an official Department of the Army position, unless so designated by
other authorized documents. This document is available in limited quantities through
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, office of Noise Abatement and Control,
Room 1128,-Crystal Mall #2, 192I.Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia 20460.
-------
5 50/9-74-010
ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE MEASUREMENTS
ON fNTERSTATE 57 DURING AND
AFTER TRUCK STRIKE
by
P. 0. Schomer
B. L. Homans
JUNE 1974
OFFICE OF NOISE ABATEMENT
AND CONTROL
Washington, D.C. 20460
Report Prepared under Agreement between Environmental Protection
Agency, Office of Noise Abatement and Control and Construction
Engineering Research Laboratory of the U.S. Department of the Army
-------
FOREWORD
The nationwide independent truck drivers' strike of February 1974, afforded
a unique opportunity to ascertain the noise impact of trucks on highway noise.
For an approximate one-week period beginning February 1, truck traffic—a
major contributant to highway noise-—was curtailed as between 100,000 and
200,000 independent truckers went on strike.
In response to the impending strike, EPA's Office of Noise Abatement and
Control sought the collection of data during and after the strike in order to
quantify the impact of truck traffic to overall highway noise. EPA assigned
the task to the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) of the
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. Acting under interagency agreement with
EPA, CERL measured highway noise along Interstate 57 between Champaign
and Rantoul, Illinois. Data collection, which began February 1, lasted two
weeks thus including approximately equal periods of strike and poststrike
(i.e. normal) conditions.
To permit the calculation of day, night, and day-night equivalent energy
sound levels, noise data, classified according to level, were collected daily at
7 am and 10 pm. With the assistance of the State of Illinois Highway Office,
traffic count data were simultaneously collected.
FINDINGS
Although data were limited, a very definite increase in equivalent sound
level and traffic flow were observed for the period of February 9 to 11 (the
post-strike period). The increase, which was 4dB for the day-night level, is
-------
believed to be caused by the truck contribution to the noise environmental for
the following reasons:
1. The increase in night level was greater than that for daytime level.
Trucks constitute a higher percentage of nightime traffic than daytime
traffic.
2. The statistical distributions show a larger increase for higher energy
levels after strike settlement than do the middle or lower levels. This
contribution would come primarily from trucks.
While it is realized that more quantitative results would have required a
well planned comprehensive monitoring program, this rather small program
has illustrated that trucks significantly impact on highway noise. Because of
its importance, EPA is pleased to make the following CERL report available
to the public.
Alvin F. Meyer
Deputy Assistant Administrator
for Noise Control Programs
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
BpekfTcup-d •*•
Purpose *
1
Scope
Procedure •*•
2
Data 5
Results 59
-------
ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE MEASUREMENTS ON INTERSTATE 57
DURING AND AFTER TRUCK STRIKE
BACKGROUND
Environmental noise has been shown to be an adverse factor in the health
and welfare of our society. Vehicle noise, and notably truck noise, is con-
sidered a major source of environmental noise. The recent truck strike of
February 1974 with its corresponding decrease in truck traffic on interstate
highways offered a unique opportunity for correlating truck traffic with envir-
onmental noise.
PURPOSE
The purpose of these measurements was to measure the "environment
noise" near Interstate 57 in Illinois both during and after the truck strike in
order to, if possible, correlate the decreased truck traffic with the decreased
level of environmental noise.
SCOPE
Measurements were made of the acoustical distribution of the A-weighted
noise level at a rural location along Interstate 57 between Champaign and
Rantoul, Illinois, for a continuous period of 14 days. Simultaneous measure-
ments were made of the traffic flow on the two sides of the freeway.
PROCEDURE
Two B&K Model 166 Environmental Noise Classifiers were used. One was
set for the range 45 to 75 dBA, ,and the other was set for the range 70 to 100
dBA. A single microphone witti v/ind screen on a tripod at an elevation of
1.2 meters above the ground surface (B&K Model 4117) simultaneously fed the
-------
two classifiers. Electric power was brought to the classifiers over a 230-
meter extension cord which was run from the nearest structure. The traffic
measurement units were the standard unit used by the State of Illinois, Depart-
ment of Transportation. Both the traffic counters and the classifiers were
checked and read at 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p. m. of each day, including weekends.
Calibration was performed on the classifiers during each checking period,
using a suitable single frequency calibrator.
SITE
The general location of the site is shown in Figure 1. It is approximately
midway between Champaign and Rantoul, Illinois on the east side of Interstate
57. The northernmost corner of the State of Illinois truck and snow plow com-
pound was used to house the equipment in a secure area. Figure 2 is a more
detailed rendering of the actual site. It should be noted that the area in which
the equipment and microphone was placed was a park-like setting and that the
closest highway equipment was more than 110 meters from the measurement
microphone. The microphone itself was located 20 meters from the center of
the nearest line of traffic. Figure 2 also shows the general distances for the
interstate highway.
-------
CO
2 km to Math is Ave.
Champaign
3km
I
1/2 km
I
t
1/2 km
\
1-57 Southbound
1-57 Northbound -
State Highway Compound
Figure 1. General Site Plan
-------
15.24
7.3
19.8
To.30
Figure 2. Detailed Site Plan
-------
DATA
The following is a compilation by days of the raw and reduced date. For
each day, the raw data during the daytime period (7a.m. to 10 p. m.) and the
raw data during the nightime period (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) is given. The traffic
count during the day and night and the calculated Leq during the day and night
are shown along with L^ for that day. Following this information for each
day and night is a graph of the levels recorded on the statistical distribution
analyzers. Due to the weather, traffic counts could not be made during the
entire period. Light snow and its associated snow plowing precluded the use
of rubber tube sensors across the highway surface during plowing. Thus,
traffic count data is available only for a few days shortly after the beginning
of the measurement period (as soon as we were able to obtain equipment from
the state) and during the end of the measurement period (it snowed during the
middle of the measurement period).
-------
LEVERETT BOAD VEHICLE MEASUREMENTS
TeitKo..
51
1*5-
VI
HI-
60
57-
60
£7-
•ro
5-0-
fro-
70*
7Z
4SdBA
J
S*-
5-5"
Bi
Tin*.
DlMtM
TO-
7*
to-
S2
95
87
97
T7-
90
T»dBA
Wind Direction
Wind Speed
Tcmpcniun
Wullwr Candllloni
Raw Vehicle Ceuit Nertkbound
Raw Vehicle Ceumt Southbound
-------
LEVERETT ROAD \EHICLE MEASUREMENTS
o.o
00
45 dBA
Test No..
/0-2
/.v
O.O
?.<»
/.2
0.0
2.0
0.3
OjQ
•4.1
A.I
0.0
mlnutu TOdBA 1^32 •? |
Wind Dlrnllan
Wind Speed
Temperature
WeiiStr CendtltaiisGiSSC
NB
10-14
32
Raw Vehicle Count Northbound
B«r Vehicle Count Southbound
-------
140
Rndingl
120
100
00
60
40
20
40 60 60 70 80 90
dBA
-------
LEVEHETT ROAD VEHICLE MEASUREMENTS
Teat NO..
Oat*
97.6
2.3
to*
SD.o
7.3
«5dBA | 53.^-3 | mtnutae
1.*
2.1
0.0
«
1.7
o.|
2.3
0.1
0.0
5.6
O.I
o.|
TOdBA |5"3Lfei3
Wind Direction
Wind Speed
Temperature
Weather Condition!
Raw Vehicle Count Narthbouad
Raw Vehicle Count Southbound
it .15"
-------
140
120
100
80
GO
40
20
Reading 2|
[J
Jl
40 50 60 70 80 90
dBA
-------
LEVERETT nOAO VEHICLE M EASUR E H EXTS
TcttNoi.
12.*
57.7
T7.-2
73-9
UI.7
37.*-
«3dBA
2/57
M.1
33
0.1
21.2
3.4
o.|
H*
0.7
0.0
WdBA | 9OI. f
90
0-3
0.0
mtauui
Wind DlraetlaB ^**"
WlodSpnd
Temptntur*
Wctttar Cendltlow
R*v Vehicle Count Naithbound
Raw VchteU Count Soatkbound
L^
Ld.
11
-------
140
Heading 3
120
100
80
to
60
u:
40
20
40 50 60 70 80 90
dBA
-------
LCVERETT ROAD VEHICLE MEASUREMENTS
TMtRe.
Ji _
p ™ •
O.(0
5/b
M*
•2.0
9.0
5.1
7.^
8.0
2,3
I.I
11-9
3.*
1.9
4SdBA
—
0700
mtaatm
/.o
0.2
o.o
o-<&
02
00
0.-5
0-1
o.o
TOdEA | 5$'^
on
00
0.0
atarntn
Wind DtroelloD
Wind Speed
T*ep*Ktun
VTMltei Conditions
Ratr Vehicle Count Kertbiwund
Itaw Vchlato Catmt goilltfcauiul
13
-------
140
Reading 4i
120
100
80
I
j
60
40
20
dBA
-------
LEVERETT ROAD VEHICLE MEASUREMENTS
Tcit No.
Date'
0.0
5o.|
$*•!>
313
;.9
oo
ifc.-/
•2.3
00
*/.?
O.fc
0.1
7.3
0.3
1
o.o
49dBA \ S6S-3 I mlmte* TOdBA j ff6^»3 | mlnutei
Wind Direction N NW
Wind Speed ^* '**
Tenpcrature
Weather Condition**
Raw Vehicle Count Northbound
Raw Vehicle Count Southbound
-74f.42
15
-------
140
Raiding 5|
120
100
80
60
40
20
I
40 50 60 70 80 90
dBA
-------
LtVERETT ROAD VEHICLE M E ASUfl E M E.XTS
Tut No..
0.0
3.3
19.2
/o.c>
4idBA
j ^|l- ^ I
nlmtn
10. 1
*S
a/
9.7
3./.
0.0
2,r
/.o
0.0
TO dBA | •Qf 1* I
5-r
0-5-
o./
mlautci
Wind Dtnctlon
WlndSprad
Wrathtr Condlllnu
Raw Vohleto Count Northbound
Raw Vehicle Court Southbound
Ld.
17
-------
173.4 Raading 6,
100
ot>
GO
40
tfl
20
40 50 60 70 80 90
dBA
-------
LEVCRETT ROAD VEHICLE MEASUREMENTS
TwtNo..
DIM
60.1
too.
121.9
45.1
45dBA
j P Sv ' O
Time
6*
0.0
31.7
0.0
2.0
O.f
OJ
lOdflA
j ^^8-0 I
Wind Dtracllon
fo-S
Wind Speed
Temperature
Weather CondltioasQSSI-
B«w Vehicle Count Korthboaod
Raw Vehleta Count SoutMKiuod
19
-------
140
Reading 7;
120
100
80
to
o
GO
40
20
40 SO 60 70 80 90
dBA
-------
LEVER ETT ROAD VEHICLE MEASUREMENTS
Test No..
Date
0.9
-2O.I
7*9
7,7
7,3
Time ,
>70C>
2.0
1.5
0.0
1-9
1.2
0.1
0£
0-3
o./
TOdBA 1 "349.3
*.«
0.1
0.0
•InaUi
Wind Dlrcctln
Wind Speed
Temperature
Weather Conditions
12 -Jt>
21
Bmw VcbUlc Count Northbound
B» Vehicle Count Southbound
21
-------
140
Reading 8!
120
100
. 80
to
to
60
40
20
40 50
70 80 90
dBA
-------
LEVERCTT ROAD VEHICLE MEASUREMENTS
Test Ho.
w
12 -S
Hl.f
21.2
son
stf
•33-S
4»dBA j H*
«V>
**.!
S-3
T7.7
Vaf
/7,3
3" O | mlButu
/A2
2.3
O.I
75"
2.^L
0.0
/.A
0-5
0.0
TOdM | ^33- S
Wind Direction C^
Wind Speed f'f
Temperature ^~
Weather CondlUouClC9£.
Rmw Vehicle Count Northbound
Raw Vehlelo Count Southbound
Le,
Ld.
23
-------
140
91
1»
100
60
-------
LEVERETT BOAD VEHICLE MEASUREMENTS
TMtNo.
130.1
60S
3?.?
lift
330
-------
140
Reading 10 i
120
100
80
to
GO
40
Iff
\T
40 60 00 70 80 90
dBA
-------
LEVERET! ROAD IEIIICLE MEASUREMENTS
Teat No..
Date
3f?3
37.3
I7.C
29.3
45dBA
19.9
«.o
0.1
19.7
•3.7
0.7
+*
I.I
0.1
TO dBA | *f3l' 1
tl.L
o.r
o.O
minutes
Wind Direction
Wind Speed
Temperature
WeatlicrCoodltlooi
ll
Raw Vahtcl* Count Northbound
Raw Vehicle Count Southbound
l«.
Lda
27
-------
140
Reading 111
120
100
. 80
to
00
80
40
Lr
20
Lr
40 GO 60 70 80 90
dBA
-------
LEVERETT nOAD VEHICLE MEASUREMENTS
TectKo.
DiU
23*
11.5
70.3
£7.7
31 .fc
rjoo
5-2/2
35.1
T7.0
UH.
4ftdBA
Time
•X2.2O
34.7
o-/
9o
9.3
TOdBA
0-0
mlnutn
Wind Direction /Vfe
Wind Speed
Temperature
Weather Condition* '
Raw Vehicle Count Northbound
Raw Vehtelo Count Southbound
29
-------
140
Rcofing 12'
120
100
80
co
o
60
40
20
40 GO 60 70 80 90
dBA
-------
LCVCBETT ROAD VEHICLE MEASUREMENTS
37.0
tSdBA
Btoates
,.-
.0727
1'.?
3.9
O.O
//,*
3/
0.0
3.*
O*fo
O» 1
tOdBA I 53*7
9.6
0.3
0.0
ninutcfl
Wind Dlrecttoa
Wind Speed
7«npcrabin
Weather Condition*
P" ^
'~ ,
Daw Vehicle Count Northbound
R«w Vehicle Count aoathbeund
31
-------
140
Reading 131
120
100
80
CO
to
60
40
r
40 GO 60 70 80 90
dBA
-------
LEVERETT 1IOAD VEHICLE MEASUREMENTS
TutNoi
27.3
II7-?
22. /
to.l
73J
46dBA
Wind Olncllon
WlndSpnd
mjf
r*B
Weather Candlllani
7.3
0.0
92
•239
0.4
o./
TOdBA
nlnutci
Raw VahlcU Count Honhbouad
Raw V
-------
140
Raffing 14'
120
100
. 80
w
J
60
40
20
40 BO 60 70 80 90
dBA
-------
LEVER ETT ROAD VEHICLE MEASUREMENTS
THIKOL
ISdBA
9.0
95.^
2.1-5
Wind Direction
Wind Speed
T'mpcntura
Weather Coadlllau
o
^1^^
^
•22
9.7
o./
9.3
0.0
0.5
0.0
TOdBA
| 5*5 ^
0.1
minute*
Rmw Vahlclt Count Northbound
Rnr Vchlato Count Southhouml
35
-------
140
Reading 15|
120
80
u
60
40
F
20
40 BO 60 70 80 90
dBA
-------
LEVERETT nOAD VEHICLE MEASUREMENTS
TntKo.
/fe
•B/.fc
63.9
//9.3
5-5.0
464BA
19.
/03.3
35:4
Wind DlnctloB
WlndSpMd
22.5
3.7
0.1
,7.7
3.V
04)
TC4BA 1 '
3.7
0.6
0.6
9.5-
0.3
o.o
ll.fc 1 mlmiUa
Wniher
.Clear
Baw V«hlcl« Count northbound
Itaw VtMdo Coul Soolhbouod
L«
Ld.
7/.3S
37
-------
140
FUadbig16
120
100
80
CO
00
60
40
LT
40 BO «ff 70 80 90
dBA
-------
LEVERCTT HOAD \EHICLT MEASUREMENTS
TratHob.
DM*
52*
3*3
11.7
12.5"
4ft dBA
.7 I
25.V
mbmtea
4D
1.2
6.6
3.0
I.I
0.0
0.9
0.2
o./
2.2
o./
0-0
TO dBA
• Wind Direction
Wind Speed
Temperature
Weather Conditions
Raw Vehicle Count Northbound
Baw Vehicle Count Southbound
39
-------
140
17
120
100
80
GO
40
fl
40 60 60 70 80 90
dBA
-------
LEVER ETT ROAD VEHICLE
Tilt No.
JSL. *»&&&*-*££.
o.o
60.9
40.0
3*7
*//•<»
45dBA
j P35u*7 I
mlmta
/2-f
2.5"
0/5
Wind Direction
Wind Speed
_T«mpcTnturo
Weather Condition*
Raw Viri-Mc Bras r-^1*:.—.-v"
nan Vehkitn CcooS ?n-.t»nwi
41
-------
140
120
100
to
60
40
20
I
1
40 SO 00 70 80 90
dBA
-------
LEVERETT ROAD VEHICLE MEASUREMENTS
7A3
fc.7
17.*
454JBA
TMtNo.
Date
Time
5V7
53
0.6
O.I
•2.0
0.7
17,7
0.0
mlnutm
TOdflA
nlautti
Wind Dlnetlon
Wind Speed
Temperature
Weather Conditions
Raw Vehicle Count Northbound
B» Vehicle Count Seuthbonnd
TOO
71.23
Clear
43
-------
140
191
120
100
bF
40 50 60 70 80 90
dBA
-------
LEVEBETT BOAD \CHICLE MEASUREMENTS
Teat No.
0.0
£2
TtS
Q7.L
2O.O
737
/37/
77.4
4SdBA
CXO
37.4
f.2
o./
TOdBA
a?
6.0
Wind Direction
Wind Speed
ssw
33
Raw Vehicle Count Northbound
Raw VehtoU COM Soothbound
Weather Coadltlo
45
-------
140
20
120
IN
OS
40
20
40 GO 00 70 00 90
dBA
-------
LEVERETT ROAD VEHICLE MEASUREMENTS
TM! Ko.
/ao
370
532
24.2
337
21./
tao
4SdBA
Wind Direction ^
Wind Speed *!-&
Tcmptialura ™
Wmlbn CoBdlUoof
0.0
325
9.3
O./
7.2
O./
a/
TOdBA
otolttt
Raw Vehicle Count Northbound
Raw Vehicle Count Southbound
47
-------
140
Rtadhig 211
100
•*"•
oo
00
40
40 60 00 70 00 00
dBA
-------
LEVEBETT nOAD VEHICLE MEASUREMENTS
00
41*
1/9.2
•> 1
22
2/32
O.f
ai
2.0
0.1
al
TOdBA
Wind Dlnctloo NNCi
S-/0
il
Raw Vehicle Count Northbound "Zt*
Raw VchleU Couol Southbound *f frl '
49
-------
140
221
120
100
J~L
i
20
40 50 80 70 00 90
dBA
-------
LCVERCTT BOAD \EIIICLE MEASUREMENTS
253
27?
4C.7
15-5
3*3*
25.0
71*
V93
4tdBA I 5*75*5. I mlaaUl
/o./
IS
-------
140
Rating 23|
120
en
to
40
40 50 60 70 80 90
rfBA
-------
LEVERETT ROAD VEHICLE MEASUREMENTS
TMIKO.
tu
25.5
07-4
0.7
50.0
//.&
0.6
30i7
0.7
0.0
TOdBA
mtnolci
WlBdOtTMtlOO
WladSpNd
7«npentuTC
WMther
Raw VchteU Count Xmbbaund
Rnr VthleU Count Saalhbouad
53
-------
140
Rating 24 j
120
100
Ul
60
40
20
40 GO 80 70 80 90
dBA
-------
LCVCRETT ROAD VEHICLE MEASUREMENTS
TtttKo.
3L2
M.7
35.2
20-S
4104 1 $+7.7 I
45.0
50.9
202
7.0
0.2
0.1
5*
0.0
too*
I SXT7.7
Wind Mnctlea
WladSpMd
Tmpentnn
WMlherCandlllaai
Raw Vchlelt Count Itortbbouad
Raw V*hlel* Couot aoBtteouad
55
-------
140
251
120
100
C7I
a>
40
J1
40 50 80 70 80 90
dBA
-------
LEVERETT IIOAD VEHICLE ME ASUIl EM ENTS
TMKo.
0*
7.?
37.7
547
30.0
51.7
o.o
3.?
0.0
34
0.4
ao
0-5
ao
TOdBA
Wind DlnettOB
Wtod Speed
WathcrCaodlUou
Raw Vehicle Count Northbound
Raw Vehicle Count Southbound
L_
•V9.7/
57
-------
140
26l
120
100
80
01
oo
40
20
40 50 60 70 80 90
dBA
-------
RESULTS
The results are shown on the following graph and corresponding chart. By
dates, the Lgq per day and night and the L^n are plotted along with the traffic
measured in the near lane by day, by night, and total traffic. The raw data
traffic measurements show that the flow is more or less equal in the two direc-
tions, so the total traffic, including the far lanes, can be considered double the
traffic flow information given in the graph and chart.
59
-------
80
u
15000
10000
Leg day ID
Ug Night) £
5000
1 Feb| 2 Feb] 3 Febl 4 Fab: \5 Feb| 6 Febll? Febl 8 Febi foFeb! 10 Feb|11 Feb 12>ab 13 Feb'14 Feb
Date)
-------
Date
1. Feb
2 Feb
3 Feb
4 Feb
5 Feb
6 Feb
7 Feb
8 Feb
9 Feb
10 Feb
11 Feb
12 Feb
13 Feb
14 Feb
Traffic
Flow
(Day)
9467
7848
9285
8911
9398
Traffic
Flow
(Night)
1266
1079
2396
2860
3108
Leq
(Day)
(?8.60
67.30
68. 85
69.33
67.28
70.43
70.26
66.91
75.96
70.37
71.72
71.04
Leq
(Night)
fto.lS
67.85
66.90
65.30
68.34
66.59
64.51
71.25
71.94
71.33
70.78
Ldn
74.42
72.36
75.64
73.75
71.35
78.54
77.80
77.23
Summary Results of Traffic Flow and Noise Level
61
-------
BIBLIOGRAPHfC DATA
SHEET
1. Report No.
. He-port No.
550/9-74-010
3. Recipient's Accession No.
4. 1 itIc and Subtitle
Environmental Noise Measurements on Interstate 57
During and After Truck Strike
5. He port Date
June 1974
6.
7. Author(s)
P.D. Schomer and B.L. Homans
8- Performing Organisation Repc.
No.
9. Performing Organization Name and Address
Construction Engineering Research Laboratory
U.S. Department ;of the Army
10. Project/Task/Work Unit No.
11. Contract /Grant Mo.
12, Sponsoring Organization Name and Address ,
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Noise Abatement and Control
Crystal Mall #2, 1921 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, Virginia 20460
13. Type of Report & Period
Covered
Final
14.
IS. Supplementary Notes
16. Abstracts
Noise and traffic-count data were recorded and analyzed during and
immediately after a nationwide stike of independent truckers. This
report presents statistical noise levels; equivalent sound level
(L ), and day-night level (!•._) for a two-week data-gathering
perrod. Prom these results, it is possible to infer the truck
contribution to highway noise.
I/, Key Words and Document Analysis. 17o. Descriptors
TRUCK NOISE, HIGHWAY NOISE, L. . L
' dn
eq
J7b. Identifiers/Open-Ended Terms
17c. COSATI Fie Id/Group
IB. Availability Statement
Not restricted. Limited supply available '
in Office of Noise Abatement and Control;
19. Security Class (Thin
Report)
$P
(i in
20. Srruiiiy Class (Tliis
Page
21. No. ot
22. I'lire
FORM NTIS-3B < IO-70I
USCOMM-DC «' i- •
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