Noise Management Program

Transcription

1 Noise Management Program North Shore Waterfront Liaison Committee November 23, 2017

2 PRESENTATION Overview of presentation topics: Noise management program overview Monitoring and feedback Noise in Project Environmental Reviews (PER) Infrastructure projects Centerm ship noise study NEPTUNES Multi-port ship noise study Reporting and community engagement 2

3 NOISE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM OVERVIEW Noise monitoring network that enables us to: Establish a baseline of port noise levels Monitor trends and measure impacts Provide community with a tool for reporting noise concerns Provide port users with quantitative data on noise issues Noise assessment guidelines for tenant projects Advocate for infrastructure projects that reduce noise Engage port users on noise impacts Engage community to obtain feedback on our approach 3

4 PORT NOISE Environmental Noise relates to ambient sound levels beyond comfort levels caused by traffic, construction, and industrial activities. What are the typical sources? Terminal operations: equipment, alarms, beepers, signals Construction noise Ocean going vessels: auxiliary engines Truck traffic Rail traffic: horns, shunting, track squeal What is Measured? Continuous sounds levels Day-Evening-Night levels Nighttime levels # of sound events, max/peak levels % highly annoyed (%HA) 4

5 NOISE MONITORING NETWORK Implemented in 2015, 11 noise monitoring stations installed in Burrard Inlet and Roberts Bank Noise monitoring stations and real-time monitoring software provided by Bruel & Kjaer Mobile noise monitoring stations available to supplement fixed stations Noise monitoring software (apps) available for iphone, Android or can be viewed via web on a desktop computer - Link Analysis of noise trends conducted by BKL Consultants Ltd. Public can access noise website or use apps to identify noise issues and support their feedback to VFPA 5

6 NOISE MONITORING: BURRARD INLET Link 6

7 NOISE MONITORING: ROBERTS BANK DELTA Link 7

8 HOW DO WE PERCEIVE NOISE? SOURCE Characteristics Continuous Intermittent Impulsive Tonality Low Frequency Perception Human Response Relative to Other Sounds Changes Over Time RECEIVER PROPAGATION Influenced by Distance Atmospheric Conditions Obstacles/Barriers Reflection/Absorption Noise Monitoring Station 8

9 COMMUNITY FEEDBACK There are two ways to report a complaint or provide feedback on noise concerns: For general concerns and feedback (business hours) VFPA Community feedback line For urgent matters (24/7) VFPA Operations Centre

10 ADDRESSING NOISE IN TENANT PROJECTS In order to effectively manage activities within port jurisdiction a Project and Environmental Review (PER) process ensures that all developments and projects meet applicable standards and minimize environmental and community impacts. VFPA publishes technical guidelines that define the criteria used to determine the potential for noise impacts from proposed projects. Assessment is based on relative change in noise from current to future conditions. 10

11 PER: NOISE GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS New activity, replacement or expansion Noise levels expected on project site Presence of undesirable characteristics Presence of high-energy impulsive noise Hours/days of operation Proximity to noise-sensitive areas Presence of noise shielding or reflection Baseline noise environment Population potentially exposed to project noise Level of community concern about noise 11

12 ADDRESSING NOISE THROUGH INFRASTRUCTURE VFPA advocates for, and where appropriate leads, infrastructure projects that improve operational efficiency and reduce impacts on local communities, for example: Low Level Road Project: elimination of 3 at-grade rail crossings (first large scale Envision Platinum project in the world) Southshore Trade Area Project: elevated road over 3 at-grade crossings at terminals and Powell street overpass Roberts Bank Rail Corridor Project: multiple overpasses along the rail corridor throughout the valley Gateway Transportation Collaboration Forum: VFPA member of the steering committee with the purpose to pursue funding opportunities under the New Building Canada Plan 12

13 INFRASTRUCTURE: NORTH SHORE Philip Ave overpass Low Level Road Project At-grade rail crossings Noise reduction at terminals: Cargill and Neptune 13

14 INFRASTRUCTURE: SOUTH SHORE 14

15 INFRASTRUCTURE: ROBERTS BANK 15

16 CENTERM SHIP NOISE STUDY Noise concern: Low frequency rumbling emanating from vessels berthed at Centerm terminal generating complaints and annoyance Study objectives: Quantify sound of aux engines Compare different vessels Why are some more annoying? Work with terminal operator (DP World) and vessel owners to gather operational details 16

17 CENTERM NOISE STUDY: VESSEL COMPARISON Low frequency annoyance is related to both the overall level and frequency profile. 17

18 CENTERM NOISE STUDY: AUX ENGINE VARIABILITY Engines on same ship can vary noticeably. Leq shows lower db values due to the A-Weighting applied, which discounts the lower frequencies. Leq 40Hz 75 Leq(dB) Gen #3 Gen #4 Gen #1 Gen #2 Gen #3 55 Tue 00:00 Tue 06:00 Tue 12:00 Tue 18:00 Wed 00:00 Wed 06:00 Wed 12:00 Wed 18:00 Thu 00:00 Thu 06:00 Thu 12:00 Thu 18:00 Fri 00:00 18

19 CENTERM NOISE STUDY: WHAT DID WE LEARN? Overall sound level (LAeq) is not a good predictor of annoyance Auxiliary generators that show increased sound levels between 60 and 160 Hz are perceived as more annoying Auxiliary generators on the same vessel can show significant noise profile variability Terminal operators and shipping lines are willing to investigate noise issues that may be impacting the local communities Ship noise is an important issue for port communities that requires further investigation and action 19

20 NEPTUNES STUDY Noise Exploration Program To Understand Noise Emitted by Seagoing ships Participating ports: Rotterdam Amsterdam Hamburg Stockholm Copenhagen/Malmö Cork Gothenburg New South Wales Turku Valencia Vancouver 20

21 NEPTUNES STUDY: OBJECTIVE Main objectives are: Gain insight into the noise issues at collaborating ports for ships at berth and anchor Identify type(s) of vessel and source(s) that are the causes of the noise and nuisance perceived by residents Advance the science of measuring and quantifying ship noise Identify potential issues from legislation, regulations or policies Investigate ways to mitigate nuisance Desired outcome: Rating and labelling system to categorize vessel noise performance 21

22 NEPTUNES STUDY: STEP 1 MEASUREMENT PROTOCOL Establish common procedure for measuring noise Common sources Funnel / Exhaust Machine room ventilation Storage space ventilation Other sources Refrigerated container Pumps on tankers Self-unloading cranes Music, PA systems 22

23 REPORTING NOISE Since 2010, VFPA has published a Sustainability Report that includes consideration of noise impacts. 3 report review panels consistently identified noise as a top material issue Reporting on our approach to managing noise and on noise trends and impacts is an important part of our approach to continuous improvement But, lack of standards or guidance on how to report on noise impacts New - VFPA will be releasing a more technical report on annual noise trends prepared by a third party, BKL Consultants 23

24 SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING 24

25 DETAILED REPORTING OF NOISE TRENDS Opportunity to involve the liaison committee in providing feedback on our approach to noise reporting. What is material and important? 25

26 NEXT STEPS Some related next steps and topics for further discussion include: Obtain feedback on our approach to sustainability reporting and noise reporting Prepare 2017 noise report, compare with results, and provide update to liaison committees Advance the NEPTUNES port noise study to improve understanding of ship noise and related policy options 26

27 Discussion Questions 27