[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 8, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26847-26848]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-10910]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

 [FHWA Docket No. FHWA-2013-0014]


Including Specific Pavement Types in Federal-aid Highway Traffic 
Noise Analyses

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice; request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FHWA requests input from stakeholders and interested 
parties on expanding the specific pavement types used in Federal-aid 
highway traffic noise analyses. Current highway traffic noise analyses 
rely on data from three pavement types: dense-graded asphaltic concrete 
(DGAC), open-graded asphaltic concrete (OGAC), and Portland cement 
concrete (PCC). Prediction of future noise levels is based on the 
``average'' pavement type, calculated as the average of the DGAC and 
PCC vehicle noise emission levels.
    The FHWA is issuing this Federal Register Notice to invite 
stakeholders and interested parties to provide comments and suggestions 
on whether and how to include additional pavement types in Federal-aid 
highway traffic noise analyses.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 8, 2013. Late 
comments will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Mail or hand deliver comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Dockets Management Facility, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, or fax comments to (202) 493-
2251. Alternatively, comments may be submitted to the Federal 
eRulemaking portal at http://www.regulations.gov. All comments must 
include the docket number that appears in the heading of this document. 
All comments received will be available for examination and copying at 
the above address from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. Those desiring notification of receipt of 
comments must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard or you may 
print the acknowledgment page that appears after submitting comments 
electronically. Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all 
comments in any one of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, or labor union). Anyone may review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70, Pages 19477-78).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about the program 
discussed herein, contact Mr. Mark Ferroni, Office of Natural 
Environment, (202) 366-3233, or via email at [email protected]. For 
legal questions, please contact Mr. Robert Black, Office of the Chief 
Counsel, (202) 366-1359, or via email at [email protected]. Office 
hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access and Filing

    You may submit or retrieve comments online through the Federal 
eRulemaking portal at: http://www.regulations.gov. The Web site is 
available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. Please follow the 
instructions. Electronic submission and retrieval help and guidelines 
are available under the help section of the Web site. An electronic 
copy of this document may also be downloaded from the Office of the 
Federal Register's home page at: http://www.archives.gov and the 
Government Printing Office's Web page at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.

Background

    Section 109(i) of Title 23, United States Code authorizes FHWA to 
issue noise standards which are set forth in 23 CFR Part 772. Highway 
traffic noise analyses provide data for decisionmakers to make informed 
decisions on project alternatives and noise abatement measures. Current 
highway traffic noise analyses rely on data from three pavement types: 
DGAC, OGAC, and PCC. Prediction of future noise levels is based on the 
``average'' pavement type, calculated as the average of the DGAC and 
PCC vehicle noise emission levels.
    The FHWA remains actively involved in what the highway noise 
industry refers to as ``low noise pavements'' or ``quieter pavements.'' 
In 2003, the FHWA entered into the Quiet Pavement Pilot Program with 
the Arizona Department of Transportation, co-sponsored the 2004 
International Scan on ``Quieter Pavement Systems in Europe,'' and 
funded several national workshops, trainings, and informational 
outreach pieces on this topic.
    In 2005, the FHWA began funding the ``Pavement Effects 
Implementation Study'' (PEI) to look at ways to incorporate options to 
consider a wider range of asphaltic concrete and PCC pavements within 
the agency's traffic noise model. When using the term, ``specific 
pavement types, '' within the Federal-aid highway traffic noise 
analyses, the FHWA is referring to these pavements used in the PEI 
Study, but also any other specific pavement that a highway agency may 
want to consider in their noise analysis. For more information on the 
PEI see: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/noise/traffic_noise_model/documents_and_references/pavement_effects_implementation_study/pei00.cfm).
    Because of the evolution of the use of quiet pavements in the 
highway industry, the FHWA is interested in how some of these new 
technologies and techniques could potentially be integrated into the 
FHWA's noise program to offer the most flexibility and utility to our 
stakeholders. The FHWA requests input from stakeholders and other 
interested parties on including specific pavement types in Federal-aid 
highway traffic noise analyses. While the FHWA invites any comments 
regarding use of specific pavement types in Federal-aid highway traffic 
noise analyses, the following questions may serve as a guide:
    (1) What is your position regarding the possible inclusion of 
specific pavement types in the Federal-aid highway traffic noise 
analysis process?
    (a) If you support the inclusion of specific pavement types, 
explain why, how you think this should be implemented (from both a 
regulatory

[[Page 26848]]

and procedural standpoint), and when this should be implemented.
    (b) If you do not support the inclusion of specific pavement types, 
explain why (from both a regulatory and procedural standpoint), and 
what, if anything, the FHWA should do regarding tire-pavement noise in 
the highway traffic noise analysis and abatement process.
    (2) Should highway agencies be required to use a more specific 
pavement type(s) in their future condition noise predictions?
    (3) Should a State highway agency be required to maintain the 
specific pavement type it selected to reduce the noise impacts of a 
project to a level that resulted in a certain noise abatement measure?
    (4) Should highway agencies be required to call a project a Type I 
project if the original pavement is replaced or overlaid with a louder 
pavement or when a pavement no longer is achieving its noise reduction?
    (5) Should specific pavement types in the Federal-aid highway 
traffic noise analyses process be introduced as a pilot program?
    (a) If you would support a pilot program, explain why, how many 
highway agencies should be selected to pilot this and, whether your 
agency would be willing to be a pilot State.
    (b) If you do not support this as a pilot program, explain why you 
do not support this.
    (6) Have you done or are you currently doing tire pavement noise 
research?
    (a) If you have done or currently are doing tire pavement research: 
What is this research? Why are you doing this research? How are you or 
how do you plan on implementing this research? What are your goals 
regarding this research and/or its implementation?
    (b) If you have not done or if you do not plan on doing tire 
pavement research, please explain why?
    (7) Any additional comments?

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 101(a), 104, 109(d), 114(a), 217, 315, and 
402(a); 23 CFR 1.32; and, 49 CFR 1.85.

    Issued on: April 26, 2013.
Victor M. Mendez,
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 2013-10910 Filed 5-7-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P