Insights into the potential of Short Concrete Barriers as a Noise Abatement Strategy: A Survey of Current Practices Among State DOTs and Specialized Engineering Firms

This study conducted a nationwide survey that focused on noise abatement professionals in the United States either from state department of transportations or from specialized engineering firms. This was with the objective of assessment the current state of practices regarding the use of short solid barriers as a noise abatement strategy. The survey was distributed during the 2023 Noise Conference at grand Rapids, Michigan and to the noise practitioners across all US state agencies. The response rate was 60% which gave us 12 (twelve) response of the 20-sample size planned for the study. The research instrument was self-developed by researchers from Morgan State University. There was a variation in perceptions such as public perception, maintenance cost, insufficient noise reduction, unable to meet DoT noise wall criteria, and not meeting the feasibility and reasonable criteria. A few of the respondents identified that their agency/DOT is conducting research into new product/materials/technologies to reduce highway noise. The findings of this study showed that majority of the State DoTs and agency are yet to fully embrace short concrete barriers as a viable alternative for noise abatement in their states while few are seeing the potential in cost savings and project timelines.