In this paper, the community involvement process used in the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) noise program is examined. The procedure for carrying out the community involvement process is discussed, and the results of a case study project are presented. On those highway projects for which construction of noise abatement devices is recommended, NJDOT requires the approval of the mayor and council of the municipality in which the abatement will be built before construction may begin. The mayor and council also have the power to oppose the recommended noise abatement, in which case the noise mitigation structures will not be constructed. The decision of the mayor and council is obtained through the NJDOT community involvement process, which includes meetings with the mayor and council as well as public information centres for the affected residents. NJDOT has found this method to be successful and will continue its use on future projects for which noise abatement is an issue.
Abstract