What is the method for analyzing abatement for multi-story land uses, such as multi-family apartments or condos?
Generally it is not feasible and/or reasonable to build a noise barrier tall enough to mitigate noise for floors above the ground floor. However, FHWA recommends that the barrier design be optimized. Thus an analysis should be done to mitigate for the ground floor, but a further analysis should be performed in an attempt to mitigate for higher floors. There may be situations, specific to local terrain or other shielding objects, where a noise barrier is warranted reasonable and feasible for higher floors.
