Jones Payne Group
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Noise Mitigation Services

Background

The Jones Payne Noise Mitigation Group has a 18 year history in environmental noise, including land use/ noise mitigation strategies, sound attenuation feasibility studies, pilot residential sound insulation projects and program formulation/ implementation of noise mitigation programs. The firm provides program planning, management, design and construction services for the sound insulation of schools, churches, civic buildings, residential and historic properties affected by airport, highway, transit and rail noise.

Industry Leadership
The Jones Payne Noise Mitigation Group has a 17 year history of leadership in the environmental noise industry, including land use / noise mitigation strategies, sound attenuation feasibility studies, pilot residential sound insulation projects, program formulation and implementation of noise mitigation programs. The firm has provided program management, design and construction services for the sound insulation of schools, churches, civic buildings, historic properties, and 20,000 units of housing affected by airport, highway, transit and rail noise.

In 1984, the firm designed Logan Airport's pilot soundproofing project, one of the first in the nation. Since then, Jones Payne has served as Massport's Program Consultant for the sound insulation of over 7000 dwelling units. Acoustically treated properties include single family homes, duplexes, "triple-deckers", apartment complexes, condos, public housing projects, nursing homes, elderly housing and historic properties. Massport's program represents nearly $90 million in construction. Through 5 grant cycles and over 90 contracts, the program has been completed on time and on budget, with less than 1% in contract changes.

Land Use Strategies
Jones Payne has developed community-based land use strategies for mitigating the potential adverse affects from airport operations on adjoining neighborhoods. As part of the Logan Growth and Impact Control (LOGIC) study team, the firm prepared a long range s ound insulation strategy for increased annual passenger volumes within the context of a Stage 2 phase out. The work set the stage for Massport's "Soundproofing 2000" Program - a five year, 4000 dwelling unit sound insulation program that treated all residential structures within the Ldn 65 "out year" contour. The firm examined sound insulation program costs as part of an economic cost-benefit analysis of Peachtree De-Kalb Airport's long range operations. For Logan Airport, we developed an Airport Edge Strategy, applying innovative urban design techniques to minimize the adverse impacts of airport operations on adjacent neighborhoods, including the location and design of community recreation, transportation, and airport support buildings to buffer and/ or shield residential areas.

Noise Mitigation Program Formulation
Jones Payne has translated Noise Compatibility Plans, developed through Part 150 Studies or Master Planning efforts, into realistic, workable noise mitigation programs. The firm has conducted detailed field surveys of residential structures located within noise contours surrounding airports, with the objective of developing an inventory of housing by type (single family or multi-family, apartments, condos, etc.) and by noise exposure. Based upon these survey results, and recommended acoustical treatment menus for differing constructions by noise exposure, cost estimates are prepared for use in program budgeting and a grant application process. Jones Payne has conducted program feasibility studies for Baton Rouge, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus, Massport, Peachtree DeKalb Airport, Monterey and Shreveport.

Pilot Soundproofing Projects
Pilot projects represent the first key step in the implementation of long-range noise mitigation efforts, and are invaluable in formulating the overall program; development of policies & procedures; preparation of master design and construction schedules; development of acoustical criteria and treatment concepts; and selection of appropriate architectural products. Based upon the findings, program management, field data collection procedures, design development, construction documentation, specifications and detailing, contractor outreach, bidding, construction administration / management, as well as program budgeting and phasing can be developed.

The firm has conducted pilot sound insulation projects for Boston, San Jose, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Baton Rouge, Toledo, Cleveland, Indianapolis, San Antonio, and Knoxville. We are currently involved in pilot projects in Key West and Shreveport.

Long Range Program Implementation
Jones Payne manages long-range sound insulation programs. The firm provides a broad range of services in residential sound insulation, which includes: Program Management; Homeowner / Community Outreach; Architectural / Acoustic Design and Construction Management services. We tailor our roles & responsibilities to meet the specific needs of each client. Jones Payne has been involved in long-range sound insulation programs in Boston, Baton Rouge, San Jose, Toledo, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Warwick, Milwaukee, Monterey, and Shreveport.

Community Sponsored Sound Insulation Programs
The firm has developed and implemented large-scale community-based noise mitigation programs for the Town of Winthrop (MA), the City of Nashville, a nd the City of Cleveland based upon construction, aircraft and rail freight noise sources. For Nashville, we developed a residential sound insulation program for over 7500 homes within the airport's 60 DNL contour, which we believe was the first in the nation.

Sound Insulation of Multi-Family Housing, Schools, Churches and Historic Properties
The Jones Payne Group has sound insulated duplexes, triple-deckers, apartment complexes, condominium complexes, public housing projects, nursing homes, elderly housing and community facilities. In some cases, the sound insulation treatments must comply with state and federal guidelines for the preservation or rehabilitation of historic structures. We have experience with Section 106 review, State Historic Preservation Officies (SHPO's), and the Department of Interior Standards for Historic Properties.

Transportation Systems Noise Mitigation Programs
Jones Payne has also been involved in the mitigation of environmental noise associated with rail, transit and highway projects. Projects include soundproofing residential noise receptors in Boston, Portland (Oregon), Cleveland and San Jose, for Mass Bay Transportation Authority, Tri-Met, the City of Cleveland and the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority, respectively.