Environmental Noise Projects

AGI staff has prepared numerous environmental studies for developers, public agencies, homeowners, legal groups, and commercial property owners.  Studies have been prepared throughout the United States, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, Mexico, and Middle East.  A partial list of the most recent Projects follows:

 

YANG MING EIR PROJECT:  AGI prepared noise studies for environmental impact reports for the Port of Los Angeles Yang Ming Project. The project proposes to demolish the existing wharf, deepening the berths, constructing a new wharf, replacing and adding new cranes, and expanding the on-dock railyard. The project improvements would allow the terminal to handle larger vessels and more trains; thus, increase the terminal’s capacity. This multi-billion dollar project has involved extensive noise monitoring, modeling, mitigation analysis, and reporting to satisfy CEQA and NEPA guidelines.

CHINA SHIPPING  PROJECT:  AGI prepared updated noise studies for environmental impact reports for the Port of Los Angeles China Shipping Project. This project  involved extensive noise monitoring, modeling, mitigation analysis, and reporting to satisfy CEQA guidelines. Ultimately, noise mitigation feasibility evaluated for a terminal throughput higher than predicted TEUs from the 2008 EIR.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INTERNATINAL GATEWAY EIR PROJECT:  AGI prepared noise studies for environmental impact reports for the SCIG Project. The project proposes to consolidate long haul truck container movements on the I-710 Freeway into short haul container movements to a transfer facility in the Wilmington area of Los Angeles.  Containers would be subsequently stacked onto trains for distribution throughout the western United States.  This multi-billion dollar project has involved extensive noise and vibration monitoring, modeling, mitigation analysis, and reporting to satisfy CEQA guidelines.  AGI is also involved with integration of the project with the adjacent ICTF transfer facility and the related CEQA document.

SERVITE CAMPUS EXPANSION PROJECT:  AGI prepared the noise technical study for the Servite High School Campus Expansion Project.  The project consisted of campus improvements and expansion to serve the future needs of the community.  AGI conducted a noise survey and analysis to quantify noise impacts on surrounding residences.  Ultimately, noise control measures were recommended to reduce impacts to a level of less than significance.

INDUSTRY BUSINESS CENTER SPECIFIC PLAN EIR: AGI staff prepared the EIR noise section to address the noise impact of the Industry Business Center Program. The project consisted of auto services, business parks, commercial, corporate offices, general offices, industrial parks and regional retail on 331 acres of development. Vehicular traffic, construction noise, and daily operations were the principal noise sources associated with the Program. Baseline noise monitoring was conducted to determine the ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the project site. Noise impacts to sensitive receptors were evaluated for construction activities as well as mechanical noise. The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) methodologies and FTA’s methodologies were employed to model noise levels from mobile sources including project traffic and train movements. Recommendations were provided to minimize noise impacts for the program.

STAPLES CENTER/LOS ANGELES SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX PROJECT, PHASES I AND II:  AGI staff prepared noise studies for environmental impact reports for the Staples Center, Phases I and II. The Staples Center arena serves as the home of the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers basketball teams, and the Los Angeles Kings hockey team. The projects incorporated a multi-use development anchored by a 22,000 seat maximum capacity sports/entertainment arena including approximately 200,000 square feet of ancillary retail, restaurant, office, recreational uses, and related facilities (including parking). Noise monitoring and modeling was performed to assess potential noise impacts resulting from the project to the surrounding residential and school receptors. Noise resulting from construction activities was also projected to assess potential noise impacts to sensitive receptors. The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) methodologies were used to model noise levels from mobile sources such as project traffic.

WARNER CENTER NOISE TECHNICAL STUDY: AGI staff provided litigation support for the City of Los Angeles’ request for Supplemental Air Quality and Noise Impact Analyses for the Warner Center Specific Plan EIR based on the direction of the Superior Court of California. Mr. Woo participated in the scope of work proposed to “interpret the determination of the court” and translate the court’s directive into a quantitative analysis. The court ruled that the (original) EIR was inadequate because it failed to consider the cumulative impact of existing and projected traffic noise at two schools. The court rejected the argument that the serious nature of existing traffic noise problems already around the schools diminished the level of significance of traffic noise to be associated with the project. In so doing, the court directed the City to prepare “a meaningful and accurate report of the impact of traffic noise on the schools as it did for the residences in the area” including the extent of mitigation. Mr. Woo successfully prepared the Noise Technical Study and SEIR to include revised vehicular noise modeling, the monitoring of interior and exterior noise at specific schools in the area, and the use of sophisticated mathematical noise models for predicting stationary source noise contributions to schools towards both interior and exterior noise.

WDI GC3:  WDI is in the midst of constructing the new Grand Central Creative Campus (GC3) studios in the Glendale Redevelopment District. Comprised of new film studios, offices, sets, support operations, and key infrastructure GC3 would be a center for WDI operations. AGI staff prepared a noise assessment study to ascertain the effect of the proposed project on the noise environment. An ambient noise monitoring program was undertaken to establish the ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the project site. Noise resulting from construction activities was assessed for potential noise impacts to sensitive receptors. Noise levels originating from mobile sources such as project traffic, train movements, and helicopter operations were modeled. The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) methodologies, FTA’s methodologies, CalTrans’ SOUND32 traffic noise model, and the FAA’s HNM model were utilized. Recommendations were provided to minimize noise and vibration impacts. A detailed noise study was prepared and used to generate the EIR noise section for the project.

WDI THIRD GATE:  WDI proposed the construction of a new theme park and resort destination complex in Anaheim. Two phases of the assessment project were determined: an interim use phase and an ultimate use phase. Key components of the project included numerous potential configurations of attractions, entertainment venues, hotels, outdoor facilities, parking, and mechanical support equipment. AGI staff prepared a constraints analysis study and environmental noise and vibration study to address the potential impact with such a large-scale project under a variety of build-out scenarios. Mitigation measures were recommended to reduce and minimize impacts where identified.

CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, ONCALL ACOUSTICAL CONSULTING SUPPORT:  AGI staff prepared technical noise studies and noise sections for the preparation of CEQA documents for key projects within the City. Special noise studies have been prepared for the Bear Brand Park Recreation Uses, Crown Valley School Lighting Project, La Paz Park Development, Moulton Elementary School Lighting Project, Niguel Hills Lighting Project, and Rancho Niguel Lighting Project. For each project AGI staff performed noise monitoring to establish baseline conditions, field observations to identify noise source characteristics, computer modeling to predict future noise levels, criteria assessment to quantify potential impacts, and noise mitigation development (such as sound walls, enclosures, and administrative measures) to reduce noise impacts. Technical studies were prepared for each project, summarizing the results of the consulting work. Support was provided to City planning staff in public hearings.

HOME DEPOT:  Traffic noise, facility operations, nighttime deliveries, mechanical equipment, and parking lot operations were of concern at the Home Depot facilities in the Cities of San Pedro and Huntington Park. Noise studies were prepared, ambient noise surveys conducted and analyses performed to evaluate their impact. Reports summarizing the results of the measurements and analyses were prepared for each case. Recommendations were provided to minimize the impact on the nearby community. Because of its close proximity to Huntington Park High School, a special analysis was conducted at the Huntington Park facility, to address the impact of noise.

GREGORY CANYON LANDFILL: AGI staff prepared the revised draft Environmental Impact Report Noise Study for San Diego County’s Gregory Canyon Landfill. The revised draft study detailed extensive noise monitoring, and computer modeling to evaluate future traffic, construction, and operations noise impacts on sensitive species and the nearby residences. Recommendations were made to implement noise control measures. The goal was to minimize impacts on sensitive species such as the Gnatcatcher and the Least Bell’s vireo, as well as the nearby residences. Recommendations were also made in the study to reduce and mitigate noise impacts during the life of the construction process. Further, a construction monitoring program was recommended to track construction activity noise and provide an avenue for receiving community noise complaints and their resolution.

LOPEZ CANYON LANDFILL: AGI staff prepared a detailed noise study of Los Angeles County’s Lopez Canyon Landfill. Noise measurements were conducted to quantify existing noise levels from truck operations and landfill operations. Analysis was performed to evaluate existing and future operating conditions. To minimize noise impacts on the community the results of the analysis were assessed against the County Noise Standards and noise control measures were recommended. A long term follow-up noise monitoring program was established to measure noise levels within the community, monitor existing operations, and provide recommendations for diminishing daily operations noise within the community.

 

Piedmont Childcare Facility
Miller Toyota Car Wash

Los Angeles Union Rescue Mission
City of Hermosa Beach

Covina Express Car Wash