Bill Overview
Title: Negating Neighborhood Noise Act
Description: This bill permits the use of funds from the Highway Trust Fund to construct certain Type II noise barriers along federal-aid highways. The bill also makes the planning, design, preservation, or construction of such noise barriers eligible for surface transportation block grant program funding. The Department of Transportation must ensure such noise barriers may be used as multipurpose noise barriers. Multipurpose noise barrier is defined as any noise barrier that provides a secondary beneficial use, including a barrier that hosts or accommodates renewable energy generation facilities, electrical transmission and distribution infrastructure, or broadband infrastructure and conduits. A project sponsor constructing or preserving such noise barriers must consider the aesthetics of the proposed noise barrier, consistent with the latest version of the Noise Barrier Design Handbook published by the Federal Highway Administration.
Sponsors: Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
Target Audience
Population: People living near federal-aid highways
Estimated Size: 10000000
- Noise pollution affects individuals living near highways, so this bill directly impacts them by potentially reducing noise levels.
- The bill provides funding mechanisms through the Highway Trust Fund and the Surface Transportation Block Grant program specifically for the construction of noise barriers.
- Those involved in infrastructure, such as construction companies, will benefit economically from the increased work associated with building these barriers.
Reasoning
- The policy targets urban and suburban areas with high noise levels due to proximity to highways.
- Not everyone will be equally affected due to variance in noise exposure levels and existing barriers.
- The economic benefit to construction firms is a potential indirect impact on employment in related sectors.
- The budget constraints limit how broadly the policy can be applied across the country.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (Houston, TX)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The highway noise is a constant inconvenience; having noise barriers would be a relief.
- My students and I are often disrupted by the noise during classes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Construction Worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could mean more job opportunities for us, which is always a good thing.
- Noise is an issue, but not directly impacting me since I live a bit further away.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This sounds useful, but I don't experience much noise personally. It won't affect my daily life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Freelancer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I could definitely use some peace and quiet, and this seems like a good policy for people like me.
- I think also incorporating technology use in these barriers is a very forward-thinking approach.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Environmental Scientist (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a much-needed initiative to mitigate the adverse effects of noise pollution on urban communities.
- The secondary uses of the barriers could set precedence for sustainable infrastructure projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Software Developer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 32 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The constant noise makes it hard to focus on work at home.
- If this policy leads to quieter neighborhoods, it would improve my productivity significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Business Owner (New York, NY)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm unsure about the impact on my business revenue, but quieter surroundings would likely attract more customers.
- Noise barriers could make my neighborhood more pleasant.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
College Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The noise is a huge issue for studying and getting a good night's sleep.
- I'm optimistic that such a policy could make a big difference for my living situation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Hotel Manager (Dallas, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Noise barriers could potentially improve guest satisfaction.
- It's hard to market a quiet stay when the highway is right there.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired (Seattle, WA)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While not a major issue, reduced noise will definitely enhance my already satisfying lifestyle.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000000 (Low: $1500000000, High: $2500000000)
Year 2: $2100000000 (Low: $1500000000, High: $2600000000)
Year 3: $2150000000 (Low: $1550000000, High: $2650000000)
Year 5: $2250000000 (Low: $1600000000, High: $2800000000)
Year 10: $2500000000 (Low: $1750000000, High: $3000000000)
Year 100: $3500000000 (Low: $2500000000, High: $4500000000)
Key Considerations
- There could be opportunity costs as funds used for this project might not be available for other transportation needs.
- Barriers must balance aesthetics with functionality to meet community standards while also serving as multipurpose infrastructure.
- Life-cycle costs and maintenance need to be considered as ongoing responsibilities that may impact long-term financial viability.