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National Cooperative Highway Research
Program RESEARCH PROJECT
STATEMENT Project 8-56, FY 2005
Truck Noise-Source
Mapping (Posted Date:
2/17/05)
BACKGROUND
Heavy trucks are
significant contributors to overall traffic noise levels, and
transportation agencies must better understand the location and
relative levels of the principal noise sources (e.g., exhaust,
mechanical, tire/pavement, and aerodynamic) on heavy vehicles in
order to more successfully mitigate traffic noise
impacts.
Typical measures used to mitigate highway traffic
noise include noise barriers, land use planning, and insulation of
structures. Some transportation agencies are investigating
additional measures, such as quiet pavements. Newer acoustical
measurement and mapping techniques such as beamforming show promise
for isolating the location and extent of the primary noise sources
emanating from heavy trucks. Some studies suggest that near-field
acoustical holography is a good complement to beamforming for
measurement and mapping of low-frequency sounds. Data obtained in
this project could directly support a number of ongoing quiet
pavement research studies, including the FHWA Quiet Pavement Pilot
Project. The data will also yield information that could greatly
enhance computer analysis of traffic noise impacts that are a part
of environmental impact reports. Information from this project will
guide decisions made at both a management level and a project design
level.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study
is to use acoustic measurement and noise-source mapping techniques
to accurately identify, locate, and quantify the noise sources on
typical commercial truck and tractor-semitrailer combinations
operating in the U.S. roadway environment.
Accomplishment of
the project objective will require the following
tasks.
TASKS
Task descriptions are intended
to provide a framework for conducting the research. The NCHRP is
seeking the insights of proposers on how best to achieve the
research objective. Proposers are expected to describe research
plans that can realistically be accomplished within the constraints
of available funds and contract time. Proposals must present the
proposers' current thinking in sufficient detail to demonstrate
their understanding of the problem and the soundness of their
approach
Task 1. Conduct a critical analysis of
domestic and international published literature, research in
progress, and current practice on the basis of applicability,
conclusiveness of findings, and usefulness for the analytical needs
of this study. This effort should include a review of material
related to all aspects of heavy truck noise sources, as well as best
available acoustic measurement and noise-source mapping techniques
for road, rail, aviation, and other transportation vehicles.
Task 2. Based on the Task 1 review, develop an
experimental design for controlled tests to identify, locate, and
quantify the noise sources on heavy trucks at highway speeds. The
experiment should be structured in such a way that the results will
be applicable to real-world vehicle and traffic conditions. It is
expected that the experiment will use one or more acoustic
measurement and noise-source mapping techniques and, within the
constraints of the project budget and schedule, will control for
factors such as the following (listed in priority order):
- Pavement material and texture (including both dense- and
open-graded asphalts and transversely tined Portland Cement
Concrete);
- Vehicle exhaust height (vertical vs. under frame);
- Truck configuration (including at a minimum two loaded
vehicles with different axle and trailer configurations)
- Tire type/tread pattern;
- Vehicle speed (e.g., ranges between 10 and 70 mph);
- Steady vehicle speed (e.g., 60 mph) versus accelerating or
decelerating (use of engine brakes);
- Engine size;
- Aerodynamic variations (e.g., "shrouded" versus open tractor
designs); and
- Vehicle exhaust condition (e.g., altered, detached, or poor
condition).
At a minimum, the noise mapping should be
done at the maximum overall A-weighted sound pressure level measured
in decibels during pass-by. The output data should delineate the
distribution of relative sound pressure levels (both unweighted and
A-weighted) of the major truck noise point sources. Data should be
presented both numerically and graphically using color contour maps.
Note: Proposers should explain their current thinking on the
measurement and noise-source mapping methodologies that will be
used. Proposers should also outline their plan for identifying
sources of trucks and tires that will be used in the testing, and
test site locations. If the results of the Task 1 literature review
suggest that the prioritization of variables should be different
tfrom that listed above, present this suggestion to the NCHRP for
consideration.
Task 3. Conduct a proof-of-concept
test of the proposed noise measurement systems and noise-mapping
techniques.
Task 4. Submit an interim report, within
12 months, to document Tasks 1 through 3 for review by the NCHRP.
The contractor will be expected to meet with the NCHRP approximately
1 month later. The contractor shall not begin work on the remaining
tasks without NCHRP approval.
Task 5. Execute the
testing plan as approved by the NCHRP.
Task 6.
Document and analyze the results of the Task 5 tests to identify,
locate, and quantify the noise point sources on heavy trucks.
Task 7. Summarize the key findings about the relative
contributions of heavy truck noise sources in the context of
variables studied in Task 5.
Task 8. Identify areas
where further research and testing are needed to improve our ability
to identify, locate, and quantify truck noise sources. These could
include the investigation of additional variables or means of
improving noise measurement and mapping techniques.
Task
9. Submit a final report that documents the entire research
effort. In addition, provide a PowerPoint presentation summarizing
the background, objectives, research method, results, applications,
and benefits.
SPECIAL NOTES
A. Proposals
shall include a task-by-task breakdown of labor hours for each staff
member as shown in Figure 5 in the brochure, "Information and
Instructions for Preparing Proposals" (http://trb.org/nchrp under "Current
RFPs [Requests for Proposals]"). Proposals also shall include a
breakdown of all costs (e.g., wages, indirect costs, travel,
materials, and total) for each task.
B. NCHRP projects are
intended to produce results that will be applied in practice, and
proposals and the project final report must contain implementation
plans for moving the results of the research into practice. Item
4(c), "Anticipated Research Results," in each proposal must include
an Implementation Plan that describes activities to promote
application of the product of this research. It is expected that the
implementation plan will evolve during the project; however,
proposals must describe, as a minimum, the following: (a) the
"product" expected from the research, (b) the audience or "market"
for this product, (c) a realistic assessment of impediments to
successful implementation, (d) the institutions and individuals who
might take leadership in applying the research product, (e) the
activities necessary for successful implementation, (f) the criteria
for judging the progress and consequences of implementation, and (g)
identification of existing manuals and handbooks that might be
impacted by the results of this research.
C. Item 5 in the
proposal, "Qualifications of the Research Team," must include a
section labeled "Disclosure." Information relevant to the NCHRP's
need to ensure objectivity and to be aware of possible sources of
significant financial or organizational conflict of interest in
conducting the research must be presented in this section of the
proposal. For example, under certain conditions, ownership of the
proposing agency, other organizational relationships, or proprietary
rights and interests could be perceived as jeopardizing an objective
approach to the research effort, and proposers are asked to disclose
any such circumstances and to explain how they will be accounted for
in this study. If there are no issues related to objectivity, this
should be stated.
D. The Research Plan, Item 4 of the
proposal, shall be limited to no more than 20 pages.
E. No
more than 12 months will be spent on Tasks 1 through 3.
F.
The proposed research team must include members with demonstrated
expertise in the areas of acoustical measurement and noise-source
mapping techniques, as well as highway engineering and acoustical
characteristics of heavy trucks, tires, and pavements.
Funds Available: $500,000
Contract time:
32 months (includes 1 month for NCHRP review and approval
of the interim report and 3 months for NCHRP review and contractor
revision of the final report)
Staff Responsibility:
Christopher Hedges, (202) 334-1472 (E-mail chedges@nas.edu).
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Proposals (20 single-bound copies)
are due not later than 4:30 p.m. on April 26,
2005. | This is a firm deadline, and extensions simply are not
granted. In order to be considered, all 20 copies of the agency's
proposal accompanied by the executed, unmodified Liability Statement
must be in our offices not later than the deadline shown, or they
will be rejected.
Delivery
Address:
PROPOSAL-NCHRP ATTN: Dr. Robert J.
Reilly Director, Cooperative Research
Programs Transportation Research
Board 500 Fifth Street,
NW Washington, DC 20001
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Liability
Statement The signature of an
authorized representative of the proposing agency is required
on the unaltered statement in order for the NCHRP to accept
the agency's proposal for consideration. Proposals submitted without this executed and unaltered
statement by the proposal deadline will be summarily rejected. An executed, unaltered
statement indicates the agency's intent and ability to execute
a contract that includes the provisions in the
statement.
Here is a printable
version of the Liability
Statement (pdf). A free copy of the Adobe Acrobat PDF
reader is available at http://www.adobe.com/. |
General Notes
1. According to
the provisions of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 21,
which relates to nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs,
all parties are hereby notified that the contract entered into
pursuant to this announcement will be awarded without discrimination
on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or
disability.
2. The essential features
required in a proposal for research are detailed in the current
NCHRP brochure entitled "Information and Instructions for Preparing
Proposals." Proposals must be prepared according to this document, and
attention is directed specifically to Section IV for mandatory
requirements. Proposals that do not conform with these requirements
will be rejected. This brochure is available
here.
3. The Transportation
Research Board encourages participation of small businesses,
minority-owned firms, and women's business enterprises as
contractors or subcontractors for NCHRP
projects.
4. Proposals are evaluated by
the NCHRP staff and a project panel consisting of individuals
collectively very knowledgeable in the problem area. Selection of an
agency is made only by the responsible panels considering the
following factors: (1) the proposer's demonstrated understanding of
the problem; (2) the merit of the proposed research approach and
experiment design; (3) the experience, qualifications, and
objectivity of the research team in the same or closely related
problem area; (4) the plan for ensuring application of results; and
(5) the adequacy of the facilities. The total funds available are
made known in the project statement, and line items of the budget
are examined to determine the reasonableness of the allocation of
funds to the various tasks. If the proposed total cost exceeds the
funds available, the proposal is rejected.
5. All proposals become the property of the National
Cooperative Highway Research Program. Final disposition will be made
according to the policies thereof, including the right to reject all
proposals.
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IMPORTANT
NOTICE Potential proposers
should understand clearly that the research project described
herein is tentative. The final content of the program depends
on the level of funding made available through States'
agreements for financial support of the NCHRP . Nevertheless,
to be prepared to execute research contracts as soon as
possible after sponsors' approvals, the NCHRP is assuming that
the tentative program will become official in its entirety and
is proceeding with requests for proposals and selections of
research agencies. |
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Please send comments on the NCHRP & TCRP
website to mailto:rderr@nas.edu Transportation Research
Board - NCHRP &
TCRP - Publications
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