6.1.2.b Noise Discussion
Table of contents
Noise can be defined as a sound or series of sounds that are intrusive, irritating, objectionable, and/or disruptive to daily life. Noise varies widely in its scope, source, and volume, ranging from individual occurrences such as a barking dog or intermittent disturbances of overhead aircraft, to the fairly constant noise generated by traffic on highways. It is important to measure the level of noise in the community as many uses are noise sensitive, such as residences, schools, churches, and hospitals. The known effects of noise on humans include hearing loss, communication interference, sleep interference, physiological responses, and annoyance. The purpose of this section is to set forth policies that regulate the ambient noise environment and protect residents from exposure to excessive noise.
Noise Sources and ProjectionsFuture development within the Surprise Planning Area will result in new roads and increased traffic volumes, thus increasing the noise level in some areas. Increased traffic volumes on the highway will result in an increased noise exposure for all adjacent development. Additionally continued growth of the city–residential as well as commercial and industrial uses–will further increase traffic and noise levels on arterial roadways.The major sources of noise in Surprise throughout the Surprise General Plan 2030 timeframe include: SR 303 & US-60The predominant noise source in Surprise is motor vehicle traffic on SR 303 and US 60. Increased traffic on both these corridors can be expected to increase the noise exposure for sensitive receptors along these thoroughfares.Arterial StreetsMajor arterial streets with substantial noise levels include Bell Road, Sun Valley Parkway, 163rd Avenue, and Jomax Rd. In general, auto traffic volumes will increase by 2025, along with greater noise levels.Railroad NoiseSurprise is traversed by two railroad alignment owned by the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe (BNSF). The two lines carry freight traffic through Surprise. The infrequency of the train activity results in loud, but sporadic noise events, and therefore, does not have a significant effect on overall noise levels in Surprise.Luke Air Force BaseLuke Air Force Base (AFB) noise contours impact the southern portion of the Surprise Planning Area as well as around Auxiliary Field #1. Luke-based aircraft account for 97 per cent of flight operations at Luke’s AFB airfield. Transient and deployed aircraft conduct the remaining three per cent of operations. The F-16 fighter is the principal aircraft operating at Luke AFB. As of 2001, Luke-based aircraft conducted an average of approximately 445 daily operations at the base. A.R.S Sec. 28-8461 defines a “territory in the vicinity of military airports,” within which the law requires disclosure to property owners that they are within the territory of a military airport, and the noise attenuation required for structures within the 65-decibel noise contour applies to entire area.Source: “Air Installation Compatible Use Zone Study, Volume I”, Luke AFB, AZ, November 2003. |
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Regulatory Setting
The federal government has no enforceable standards or regulations governing environmental noise levels. The Noise Control Act of 1972, as amended by the Quiet Communities Act of 1978, provides a framework for the development of noise control programs through the Quiet Communities program. The state does not promulgate statewide standards for noise but ARS. 9-240 (B)(15)(b) prohibits the ringing of bells and blowing of horns related to frightening people and horses.
The World Health Organization (WHO) lists the following critical health effects for community noise as a guideline for governments to implement regulations:
| Environment | Critical health effect | Sound level dB(A)* | Time hours |
| Outdoor living areas | Annoyance | 50 - 55 | 16 |
| Indoor dwellings | Speech intelligibility | 35 | 16 |
| Bedrooms | Sleep disturbance | 30 | 8 |
| School classrooms | Disturbance of communication | 35 | During class |
| Industrial, commercial and traffic areas | Hearing impairment | 70 | 24 |
| Music through earphones | Hearing impairment | 85 | 1 |
| Ceremonies and entertainment | Hearing impairment | 100 | 4 |
Table 6.1A - Source: “Guidelines for Community News”, World Health Organization, March 1999.
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