Noise barriers
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is requesting input from residents and property owners who have been determined to benefit from the construction of noise barriers for the I-65 Safety and Efficiency project.
An informational letter, map and stamped survey postcard were mailed to you. Find detailed, high-resolution maps of each proposed barrier, along with information about the noise analysis on this page.
Wednesday, December 13th
5:30 to 7:00 p.m. | 6 p.m. Presentation
SENSE Charter School | Multipurpose Facility
1601 Barth Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Click the maps to expand and download.
Evaluated Barriers
Recommended Barriers
Hanna Ave.
Keystone Ave.
Troy Ave.
Raymond St.
Pleasant Run Pkwy. South Dr.
I-70 Interchange
Calvary St.
WHat is noise?
- Sound is measured in decibels, or dB(A). Unwanted sound is considered noise.
- A 3 dB(A) change is barely perceptible. A 5 dB(A) change is clearly perceptible. A 10 dB(A) change is twice as loud.
- 2,000 vehicles per hour sound twice as loud (+10 dBA) as 200 vehicles per hour.
- Traffic at 65 mph sounds twice as loud (+10 dBA) as traffic at 30 mph.
- Noise analysis and possible abatement measures are evaluated as part of added capacity projects.
Noise Analysis Process
- Areas of frequent outdoor human use are identified and measured, such as yards and patios, balconies of apartments and recreational areas.
- Using Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) traffic noise models, software analyzes existing and projected traffic volumes and associated noise impacts.
- Existing and predicted future noise levels, as well as areas of potential impact, are examined.
- Noise impacts occur when predicted sound levels approach or exceed 67 dB(A) or when predicted levels exceed the existing sound level by 15+ dB(A).
Noise Barrier Evaluation
- Noise barriers must be reasonable and feasible.
- A barrier is considered feasible if it provides a reduction of at least 5 dB(A) for a majority of impacted receivers.
- A barrier is considered reasonable if it offers a 7-decibel reduction for the majority of receivers directly adjacent to the roadway.
- For a noise abatement measure to be reasonable, the required barrier area (in square feet) per benefited receptor must be less than or equal to the allowable barrier area per benefited receptor.
- The allowable maximum square footage per benefited receptor in Indiana is <1,000/sq. ft. if the majority of nearby receptors were not constructed prior to the roadway, <1,250/sq. ft. if constructed prior to the roadway.
- INDOT considers the views of all benefited residents and property owners to determine whether a barrier is appropriate for a given location.
- Click here to view the draft Noise Report.
If you’ve already completed and mailed a survey card, there’s no need to complete this form. All survey responses count equally.
Please include your name, mailing address (and property address if different), along with a response to the survey.
