Answer:
a. Park should be adjacent to 48th Street, b. Difference in noise level = 707dBa, c. Yes
Explanation:
Data given for Avenue A
Cars = 496, Medium Truck = 52, Heavy Truck = 19, Buses = 10
Data given for 48th Street
Cars = 822, Medium Truck = 22, Heavy Truck = 8, Buses = 3
Consider the PCEs to be Cars = 1, Medium Truck = 13, Heavy Truck = 47, Buses = 18
a. Noise Level = Number of vehicles x PCE
For Avenue A
Noise level = (496 x 1) + (52 x 13) + (19 x 47) + (10 x 18) = 2245dBa
For 48th Street
Noise level = (822 x 1) + (22 x 13 + (8 x 47) + (3 x 18) = 1538dBa
The park should adjacent to 48th street as it is quieter than Avenue A
b. Let the Setback be 50ft. We know that the reduction of noise for 100ft = 5-8 dBa, hence
For Avenue A Noise Reduction due to 50 ft = (8/100) x 50 = 4dBa
Noise at Setback distance = 2245 - 4 = 2241dBa
Considering the same setback the noise at 48th street would be = 1538 - 4 = 1534 dBa
The difference is noise level between the two sides would be = 2241 - 1534 = 707 dBa
c. Yes the developer concerns are valid because there is a clear difference in noise levels of the two sites. This can be seen even after setting the same Setback. Locating the park next to Avenue A will cause serious noise problems.
