How are noise barriers deemed warranted?
The first item considered in the warranting of a noise barrier is the current and future predicted traffic generated noise levels. When the future noise level exceeds the established threshold or there is a significant increase in noise level from existing levels, then noise walls can be considered. Next, these noise walls must be determined if they are feasible and reasonable. For a noise wall to be feasible, it must provide a substantial noise reduction (minimum of five weighted decibels). If a wall is determined to be feasible, they are then evaluated to determine if they meet the established cost-effectiveness criteria (reasonableness criteria) and have majority support from the impacted receivers. If any of these criteria are not met, then the noise wall does not comply with Federal regulations and INDOT’s noise policy and will not be constructed. Read INDOT’s noise policy.
