Clients
Volpe Acoustics provides services to clients requiring technical assistance with highly-specialized transportation-related noise issues.
Please visit How to Start Work to learn more about working with the Volpe Center.
Current Clients:
Project Plan: Technical Noise and Air Quality Support to Air Tour Management Plans (ATMP)
Sponsor: FAA, Western Pacific Region, Air Tour Management Plans (ATMP)
- Perform field measurements of aircraft source noise levels and ambient sound levels, as appropriate.
- Collect aircraft activity data, including operations, flight tracks and schedule.
- Reduce and analyze the data collected and prepare for input to noise and air quality models.
- Prepare and review environmental documentation, as required.
Project Plan: Environmental Quality Analysis and Evaluation
Sponsor: FAA, Office of Environment and Energy (AEE)
- Apply existing capabilities to problems associated with aircraft noise.
- Plan and perform measurements and analyses pertaining to aircraft operations and noise certification at various locations throughout the country.
- Perform comprehensive validation of noise measurement and analysis methods employed by the various applicants to FAA seeking certification.
- Provide administrative and technical support in the planning and assessment of aviation environmental programs.
Project Plan: Airport Noise Simulation and Analysis
Sponsors: FAA, Office of Environment and Energy (AEE)
FAA, Office of Air Traffic Airspace Management Program (ATA)
FAA, Office of Airport Planning and Programming (APP)
- Perform core development for the FAA's Integrated Noise Model (INM).
- Provide INM technical assistance and user support.
- Conduct special projects (e.g., assist in preparation of Environmental Assessment for Grand Canyon National Park, and support for National Rule on Park overflights).
- Provide SAE Committee A-21 representation.
Project Plan: Highway Traffic Noise Prediction and Analysis
Sponsors: FHWA, Office of Natural Environment (HENE)
FHWA, Office of Engineering Research and Development (HNR)
State Pooled Fund Study
- Develop FHWA's Traffic Noise Model (TNM®).
- Conduct diagnostic testing of TNM® and prepare subsequent versions.
- Provide TNM® technical assistance and user support.
- Evaluate and document highway noise abatement technologies.
- Conduct special projects, such as TNM validation.
Project Plan: Highway Noise Model Data Base Development
Sponsors: FHWA, Office of Natural Environment (HENE)
FHWA, Office of Engineering Research and Development (HNR)
State Pooled Fund Study
- Plan and execute field acquisition, reduction and analyses pertaining to highway noise data at various locations throughout the country.
- Provide technical support for FHWA's Mobile Noise Data Gathering and Analysis System.
Project Plan: Highway-Railroad Grade-Crossing Safety Research
Sponsors: FRA, Office of Research and Development (RDV)
FRA, Office of Safety Analysis (RRS)
- Examine methods of improving audible warning signals at highway-railroad grade crossings to determine optimum performance of audible warning systems while minimizing community noise impact- This includes:
- Investigation of affects of horn design and placement.
- Investigation of acoustical environment, including development of vehicle interior noise database.
- Evaluation of wayside horn systems.
- Development of an updated Rail Noise Measurement and Assessment Handbook.
Project Plan: Aircraft Noise Model Prediction Support
Sponsor: NASA, Langley Research Center (LaRC)
- Conduct studies in support of the enhancement of aircraft noise propagation algorithms and aircraft noise modeling.
State/Other Clients
Project Plan: Portland Cement Concrete Pavement Study
Sponsor: Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT)
- Perform field measurements to record highway traffic noise on a highway paved with PCC, with three different surface treatments.
- Analyze the data collected.
- Provide ADOT with summarized results of collected data.
Project Plan: Long-Term Pavement Noise Study
Sponsor: California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
- Perform field measurements twice per year along a stretch of pavement, with various types of asphalt overlays.
- Analyze the data collected.
- Prepare a final report, which documents the results of the study.
Project Plan: FHWA Traffic Noise Model Support
Sponsor: University of Florida, McTrans Group
- Provide technical support to the FHWA TNM user community.
- Prepare updates and conduct maintenance of FHWA TNM software.
- Maintain FHWA TNM website, including information on frequently asked question pertaining to TNM.
Past Clients and other organizations that the Acoustics Facility has worked with:
