Road Traffic Noise Management in Queensland Through The Element Leadership Process
Road Traffic Noise Management in Queensland Through The Element Leadership Process
Road Traffic Noise Management in Queensland Through The Element Leadership Process
Cedric Roberts
Road Planning & Design, Design, Environment & Stewardship, Queensland Transport and Main Roads, Brisbane, Australia
ABSTRACT
This paper summarises the contents of the controlled document Element Management Plan. Part 1 (Elem Mngr 2008)
dealing with Process Description and defines the formal processes for planning investments within a forward program
of works for the Road System Manager: Element No 9. Road Traffic Noise Management for the Queensland State
Controlled Road Network. The key outcome of this process is to manage road traffic noise to support more liveable
communities and minimise negative impacts on the amenity of areas and peoples’ quality of life within the road cor-
ridor. In general the Element Leader manages the element inventory and condition data base, defines and steers the
collection of quality assured data necessary to define element investment needs across the state network and is regu-
larly required to review the medium and long term performance vision for the ‘Element’. Traffic noise modelling is
essential for the process and requires a number of input parameters for example, Annual Average Daily Traffic
(AADT), % commercial vehicles, distances to and elevation of receptors. A more complete description of essential
input parameters is given in a Regional Road Traffic Noise Management Strategy (RRTNMS) (Metro RRTNMS). Es-
sential physical and acoustical attributes of noise barrier structures required to be inspected and an auditing protocol
are given in this Part 1 of the Element Management Plan (EMP). Results of inspections will be entered into a Noise
Barrier Database and intervention levels for noise barrier maintenance will also be described.
DATA PROCESS DESCRIPTION The success and scope of data collection will require full and
ongoing commitment from relevant Regional/District Direc-
tors to support the project, including the probable need to
Traffic noise modelling will require a number of input pa-
provide training packages to educate district officers on
rameters for example, AADT, % commercial vehicles and
RTNM asset management. The need to either assign dedi-
distances to and elevation of receptors. A more complete
cated RTNM asset managers, or to integrate RTNM assets
description of essential input parameters are given in Road
within other road asset management systems will have to be
Traffic Noise Management Strategies (RTNMS) for the Met-
determined by Directors in response to the level and scope of
ropolitan (Metro RTNMS 2008) and South Coast Regions
items present in each Regions/districts road corridor and level
(South RTNMS 2009).
of staff training.
An example of typical road traffic noise contours adjacent to
It is anticipated that the following Region/district personnel
a state controlled road are presented in Figure 6.
may be involved in data collection:
• Environmental Officers
• Asset Managers; and
• Maintenance Personnel
DATA USED
The Element Leader and RTNM staff will provide guidance
Network Asset Condition Data and training to Regions/districts. RTNM assets are to be reg-
istered and incorporated within existing asset management
systems (including maintenance manuals). Existing asset
The asset or activity data classes that are required for this
management systems will first be required to undergo rede-
element obtained every 2 to 5 years include traffic noise
velopment as part of phases of the project for inclusion of
modelling, auditing of condition of noise barriers and Re-
identified in-scope RTNM items currently omitted.
gional/town 'gateway' noise barrier remediation.
Spatial data on the extent of DTMR noise barrier treatments
may be stored in databases and MapInfo where required.
Other Corporate Data
Appropriate links to these databases are to be included in
• ARMIS AADT RTNM asset registers.
• TARS
• Australian Bureau of Statistics State population Regions/district officers will be responsible for the mainte-
demographics nance, operation and enhancement as required of the RTNM
• MapInfo via Road Information Systems asset management system.
Collection of data for Network Asset Condition will be the Other Input Data (not condition or network data)
responsibility of the Element Leader and the relevant Re-
gion/District representatives and appropriate officers that will
be responsible for actual 'on-site' data collection, asset inven- The Element Leader and RTNM staff have commenced col-
tories and registration. lecting historical data on noise barrier treatment types, barrier
locations and unit costs to use in future cost predictions.
Historical data requirements to be collected/determined level dB(A) and also include visual inspections and acousti-
yearly for RTNM asset treatments include: cal and structural tests.
• Current standard industry costs per square meter
rates ($/m2)) for RTNM standard works items (de-
termined yearly for cost comparison) DEFICIENCY ANALYSIS AND PRIORITISATION
• Estimation of cost loadings (%) experienced in Re- PROCESS DESCRIPTION
gions/districts against standard industry rates – in-
cluding reasons for cost loading; and
• All costs to be labour and GST inclusive The aim of this section is to describe the process to analyse
the data and develop a prioritised list of defects business
The unit cost of noise barrier construction used in the deter- rules, if appropriate which have a current condition worse
mination of costings for 2006 was based on coloured and than the Performance Vision and Performance milestone.
patterned concrete panels ($350/m2). Departmental costs
include planning, engineering, structural and geo-technical
design and survey (approximately 25% of contractors’ con-
struction costs). The following will be prioritised:
Data output
The format of the data used for Deficiency Analysis and Pri-
oritisation will include: Location of road, location of bar-
rier/s, AADT, % heavy vehicles, gradient of road (%), speed
of traffic stream (km/h), distance & relative heights of sensi-
tive noise receptors (m) wrt. road surface, predicted noise
Laser finders and GPS units for noise barrier surveys. When packaging and programming works, Regions/districts
will need to consider seasonal issues for example, it will be
The primary tool for analysing noise barrier condition along preferable to carry out remediation work during the ‘dry’
the road network and determining candidates for remediation season.
will be the RTNM database. The source data is extracted
from the database and then ranked i.t.o acoustic performance, On a state-wide basis there may be some opportunities to
structural integrity and maintenance level. bulk supply materials into single contracts.
PACKAGING AND PROGRAMMING usefulness of the information for any other use
whatsoever
• Any opinions expressed are solely those of the au-
The EMP Part 1 also documents opportunities for combining
thor
work within the same Element to achieve efficiencies in de-
livery, within a Region, district, group of districts or state-
wide. REFERENCES
Once the moderated budgets have been finalised and the Element Performance Plan and Report (Part 1 of 2,
Element Leader revised performance predictions accordingly, Road System Manager), Element No. 9: Road Traffic
PD&D will work with districts to develop a program of
works. Noise Management, Queensland Department of Main
Roads, (2008).
The output of the Packaging and Programming phase across
the network for the Element is a published RIP, undertaken Road Traffic Noise Management Strategy, Metropolitan
by PD&D. The process details within the individual Element
Management Plans are compiled and documented in the Region, Queensland Department of Main Roads, (2008).
RIPA Guidelines. Element Leaders provide a support role to
districts and PD&D to ensure that the maximum efficiency Road Traffic Noise Management Strategy, South Coast
and effectiveness is achieved for the allocated funds. Region, Queensland Department of Main Roads, (2009).
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