All vehicles make noise from two major sources, the contact point between tires and the road and the engine-exhaust system.

Here’s what we know about bus noise levels when they’re travelling and compared to cars:

• Buses travelling on 14 Street S.W. are less frequent than cars. Of the 80,000 vehicles per day on 14 Street S.W., approximately 234 buses travel in each direction (468 total). Buses make up 0.6% of traffic on the roadway.

The Southwest BRT project qualifies for a noise attenuation study under The City’s Surface Transportation Noise Policy. Based on the noise testing carried out by a third-party engineering firm, The City is constructing new noise walls along Southland Drive, at two locations on 14 Street S.W. and on 75 Avenue S.W. Please see the attached map [Link to noise wall map; link text is attached map] for where noise walls will be constructed or modified along the Southwest BRT route. You can also check out the Frequently Asked Questions for more information on this policy and process.

NEXT STEPS

The City will directly contact the property owners whose property line backs onto the new noise walls, as well as property owners who have existing noise walls, which need to be rebuilt. We expect to reach out in 2018.