Resources

MSP Noise Programs

Land Use Compatibility Programs

Residential Noise Insulation Program

Single Family Noise Insulation Program

Since 1992, the Residential Sound Insulation Program has been a large and visible part of the Part 150 program at MSP. The MSP Residential Sound Insulation Program was built on the use of FAA structural Noise Level Reduction (NLR) documentation to establish product-specific Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings and associated NLR goals, creative bidding practices and cooperative prioritization and funding efforts. Through innovative approaches to continually enhancing the program as new information and technologies became available, the MSP Residential Sound Insulation Program quickly became a national model.

Because testing and evaluation around MSP indicated that the majority of homes near the airport provide, on average, 30 dB of outside to inside sound attenuation, a 5 dB package approach was developed far all homes within the 65 DNL and greater noise contours. The 5 dB package approach provided an average reduction of interior noise levels by 5 dB, ensuring a noticeable level of reduction as outlined by the FAA in 1992. The 5 dB insulation package includes elements of the following:

• Reconditioning existing windows:
• Window reconditioning (vinyl jamb liner)
• Sash replacement (using existing window frame)
• Complete window replacement (extreme cases only)
• Addition of exterior acoustical storm windows
• Reconditioning existing prime doors:
• Replacement of weather-stripping
• Complete door replacement (extreme cases only)
• Addition of exterior acoustical storm doors (may include sliding glass & French doors)
• Addition of wall and attic insulation
• Baffling of attic vents, mail slots and chimney
• Addition of central air conditioning, if not existing (in some cases, A/C modification work may require furnace replacement, asbestos and code-related work)

The degree to which each of the above listed elements was applied was subject to an assessment of the home’s existing condition. This approach resulted in varying degrees of modification on a home-by-home basis while maintaining the intent of ensuring a 45 DNL or less interior noise level.

65 DNL Contour Count of Single Family Mitigated Units

Bloomington - 314 homes
Eagan - 196 homes
Richfield - 660 homes
Mendota Heights - 94 homes
Minneapolis Homes - 6,582 homes

As a result of detailed and extensive project management and quality control the program has an excellent record of homeowner satisfaction. Since 1997, when homeowners are asked if the improvements were effective at reducing aircraft noise, an average 97% of homeowners responded yes. When asked if the modifications have improved interior home comfort, an average of 95% homeowners responded yes. In 2003, when homeowners were asked if they were satisfied with the overall program product quality, 100% answered yes.

In 2004 the MAC awarded the final bids for the remaining unmitigated homes in the 1996 65 DNL noise contour. In early 2006, the MAC completed the insulation of an additional 165 single family homes in the 2007 65 DNL noise contour. A significant milestone at MSP, this also represented a significant accomplishment for an industry-leading airport noise reduction program. The program resulted in the insulation of over 7,800 homes in communities around MSP.

The financial investment in the MSP Residential Sound Insulation Program is among the largest in the nation for such programs. Throughout the 14-year project (1992-2006) several variables impacted the project’s annual financial profile. Year-to-year variations in housing stock and material costs caused fluctuations in the unit, or house-per-house, costs. This, combined with variations in annual budgets due to challenges such as the fallout from 9/11, resulted in a fluctuating rate of annual home completions.

Annual average insulation costs per single family home have ranged from a low of $17,300 in 1994 to a high of $45,000 in 2001. The highest cost incurred during the 14-year span of the project for the insulation of a single home was approximately $125,000. The MAC spent a total of approximately $229.5 million on the single family home insulation program during its 14-year lifespan.

In 2008 the MAC will begin the next phase of the single family noise insulation program in the 64 to 60 DNL noise contours around MSP. This program concept dates back to 1996 and mitigation strategies associated with the expansion of MSP, which included construction of a new 8,000 foot-long runway.

The 64 to 60 DNL noise contour noise insulation program’s goal is to provide a mitigation program commensurate with noise impacts. Homes in less-impacted noise contours do not need as extensive a mitigation program to achieve appropriate interior noise reduction. The proposed program takes into account the amount of mitigation needed in particular areas and ensures every dollar goes toward purchase and installation of noise-reducing improvements.

Mitigation activities will vary based on noise contour, with homes in the most noise-impacted contours eligible for more extensive mitigation than those in less impacted areas. Multi-family dwellings (those with more than three living units) would receive less extensive mitigation than single-family homes.

The approximately 432 homes in the 64 to 63 DNL noise contours would be eligible to receive the same level of noise mitigation provided in the 65 DNL contour and greater. The program is designed to achieve five decibels of noise reduction on average, and modifications could include: central air conditioning; exterior and storm window repair or replacement; prime door and storm door repair or replacement; wall and attic insulation; baffling of roof vents and chimney treatment. Construction would be scheduled for completion by December 31, 2009.

Owners of the approximately 5,344 homes in the 62 to 60 DNL noise contours will be eligible for one of two mitigation packages: 1.) The estimated 3,421 homes that did not have central air conditioning as of September 1, 2007 could receive it. In addition, homeowners would get up to $4,000 (including installation costs) in other noise mitigation products and services they could choose from a menu provided by the MAC. 2.) Owners of homes that already had central air conditioning installed as of September 1, 2007 or who choose not to receive central air conditioning would be eligible for up to $14,000 (including installation costs) of noise mitigation products and services they could choose from a menu provided by the MAC. Categories of products on the menu will include: exterior and storm window repair or replacement; prime door and storm door repair or replacement; wall and attic insulation; baffling of roof vents and chimney treatment. Construction is scheduled for completion by December 1, 2012.

Single-family homes whose owners opted out of the already completed MAC noise-mitigation program but that now have new owners would be eligible to “opt in” and receive noise mitigation. If the total cost to MAC of opt-in mitigation is less than $7 million, any remaining monies would be used to reimburse owners of single-family homes between the 2005 Mitigated 60-64 DNL contours and the 2007 60 DNL contour for purchase and installation of products included on a menu provided by the MAC. The amount each homeowner receives will be determined by subtracting dollars spent for the opt-in program from the total $7 million budget and dividing the remainder among the total number of single-family homes within the 2005 60-64 DNL and 2007 60 DNL contours. The MAC would begin to issue reimbursements by March 1, 2010 and would complete them by July 31, 2014. The total the MAC will spend on the opt-out and 2005 program all together is capped at $7 million.

The total cost to the MAC is uncertain until the program is complete, but it is estimated the proposal could cost as much as $130 million to implement.

Multi-Family Noise Insulation Program

In 2000 the MAC commissioned a pilot project to establish the specific elements of the multi-family sound insulation program. It was determined that multi-family structures typically have more commercial grade construction characteristics with fewer externally exposed surfaces and external penetrations to living spaces. As such, elements of the multi-family sound insulation program package were different from the single family program.

65 DNL Contour Count of Multi-Family Mitigated Buildings

Richfield - 3 buildings
Minneapolis - 67 buildings
Bloomington Buildings - 12 buildings

The specific elements of the multi-family sound insulation program package included the following (based on the existing condition of the structure and the respective elements listed):

• Acoustic storm windows;
• Pull-through air conditioning units;
• Pull-through air conditioning unit soft covers.

The multi-family component of the Residential Sound Insulation Program started in 2001, and was significantly smaller in both the number of structures mitigated and the associated costs. With completion of multi-family structures in the 65 DNL noise contour, approximately 1,327 multi-family units were insulated at a total cost of approximately $11.1 million.

In 2008 the MAC will begin the expanded multi-family noise insulation program in the 64 to 60 DNL noise contours. Approximately 1,931 multi-family units in the projected 2007 mitigated 60-64 DNL contours that do not have air conditioning would receive through-the-wall or equivalent permanently installed air conditioners. The MAC also will install an acoustical cover for each air conditioner in the multi-family units. Installation is scheduled to be complete by December 1, 2010.

School Noise Insulation Program

Since 1981, the MAC has insulated 18 schools located around MSP. This represents the completion of all schools located within the 65 DNL noise contour. As a result of legislative direction, some schools were mitigated outside the 65 DNL noise contour.

Depending on a school’s pre-existing condition, the program provided an insulation package consisting of treatment of roofs and roof penetrations, building entries, window modifications, air conditioning systems and electrical service modifications.

The costs of insulating individual schools varied from $850,000 to $8 million. A total of approximately $52 million was spent on the school sound insulation program.

Property Acquisition

In addition to the residential and school sound insulation programs, the MAC also pursued a residential property acquisition program that facilitated the relocation of sensitive land uses, such as residential buildings in high impact noise areas. The intent of the Residential Acquisition Program was to address highly impacted properties in the 65 DNL noise contour where the property owners, and the city in which the respective property resides, agreed that acquisition was the desirable means of mitigating the homes.

As a result, approximately 437 residential properties have been acquired and converted to compatible land uses.

In total, approximately $93.0 million has been spent on the Residential Property Acquisition Program.