Project number: MT-11-26

Funding source: US DOT

Funding amount: $89,978

Performance period: September 2010 to August 2011

Project description

Noise emissions from various transportation modes including seaports have become a major concern to environmental and governmental agencies in recent years for the great annoyance they cause to surrounding communities. The Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex is the nation's largest ocean freight hub and its busiest container port complex, where the goods going through the port grows increasingly, especially in the container division. As the container sector has the highest growth potential, the levels of noise generated by the ships, straddle carriers, cranes, fork lifts, refrigerated containers, trucks and trains may present a problem. In addition, noise emitted from container terminals, at high levels and for long periods, has a negative impact on the performance of the different parties involved in the cargo handling activities at the container terminals as well as the life of the residential neighbors. The purpose of this study is to predict and model the noise of container terminals at the port of Los Angeles. 

Specifically, the objectives of the study are as follows:

1. Develop a noise model (noise mapping) for the port of Los Angeles, which may be used to predict future noise levels of the surroundings.
2. Determine the dominant noise sources within container terminals at the port.
3. Measure the noise levels around the container terminals. These on-field noise measurements will be used for validation of the developed noise model and assessment of noise mitigation.
4. Identify the areas within the port where noise levels exceed the noise standard levels stipulated in the Los Angeles County Noise Control Ordinance and the WHO (World Health Organization) community noise guidelines. 
5. Provide any noise mitigation requirements for the port to meet the L.A. City and WHO required noise limits.