11/18/2014 (7) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Section 2 +Aft r (r'I 1 it .-. r 1 1 1 im 0 11 i :,,r, 11',t'), t page 5-43, freight trains observed for the Amtrak EA had speeds ranging from 30 to 49 mph. No figures are presented to show the existing vibration levels in the Project Study Area that were used to compare against the future vibration levels. 3 The estimated noise levels for SR528 presented in the DEIS are based on an incorrect classification. The DEIS shows that FRA used FTA noise levels for interstate highways to estimate noise levels near SR 528; however, SR 528 is a state road, not an interstate highway. 4 The DEIS fails to give a detailed explanation of the noise levels associated with both idling locomotives and moving locomotives. The DEIS mentions noise from idling locomotives and moving trains; however, it does not explain what these noise levels are and how the Ldn from moving and idling trains at the VMF were calculated to be 68.8 dBA at 50 feet. 5 The DEIS fails to provide a basis for its declared correction factors for the Proposed Project. On page 5- 41, the DEIS states that there is a correction factor for passenger trains of 4 dBA. Moreover, on page 5- 50, the DEIS states that there is a correction factor for passenger trains of 10 VdB). These figures, however, are referenced for passenger trains on elevated tracks. No basis is provided for these factors. 6 The DEIS did not adequately account for the noise and vibrations of the construction equipment or the noise and vibrations that occur when you use two pieces of equipment simultaneously. Construction noise is evaluated for the two loudest pieces of equipment. It is not clear whether it was assumed that both pieces of equipment will be operating concurrently. Numerous pieces of equipment operating concurrently may contribute substantially to the overall construction noise, even if the individual equipment may not be as loud as the two selected equipment. The DEIS should have described the other typical construction equipment and the number of various equipment operating simultaneously, and based the analysis on the combined noise from that equipment. The DEIS fails to address the increase in future traffic noise along the Proposed Project corridor. The DEIS references existing noise from SR 528 and other roadways as the dominant existing noise source; however, the increase of traffic along these corridors that will occur by the time the Proposed Project is in full operation (future condition) is not documented. In the DEIS, the total future noise level is calculated by adding the Proposed Project noise level to the existing highway noise level, failing to account for the fact that population growth will result in increased traffic noise in the Project Study Area in the horizon year when the Proposed Project is fully operational. Increases in future traffic noise along Project Study Area travel corridors are not addressed in the DEIS. See the FRA manual, Chapter 3, Noise Impact Criteria, which discusses relationship of project noise impacts to ambient noise levels (the higher the ambient noise level, the lower the noise level increase before onset of impact).The document also does not discuss the freight and passenger rail growth and long term impacts. The DEIS fails to analyze the increase in freight traffic in the alternatives analysis. The DEIS analyzes the increase in freight operation for the No -Action Alternative only. The change in freight operation should have been addressed for the Project Alternatives, as required by NEPA for an EIS. The DEIS failed to discuss the quantitative effects of speed and type of locomotive on the noise and vibration levels. The DEIS indicates that noise and vibration levels were calculated for different train speeds. The document should have discussed the effect of the referenced speed and type of locomotive (i.e., freight vs. high speed passenger train) on noise and vibration levels, such as calculating high speed train onset rate (startle effect) and aerodynamic noise (see FRA Manual). 2-6 301 - Smith A• y�