What is Noise Compatible Planning (NCP)?
Highway traffic noise should be reduced through a program of shared responsibility. Thus, the FHWA encourages State and local governments to practice compatible land use planning and control in the vicinity of highways. Local governments should use their power to regulate land development in such a way that noise-sensitive land uses are either prohibited from being located adjacent to a highway, or that the developments are planned, designed, and constructed in such a way that noise impacts are minimized. The prevention of future impacts is one of the most important parts of noise control. New development and highways can be compatible. But, local government officials need to know what noise levels to expect from a highway and what techniques they can use to prevent future impacts. This may be accomplished by including a table of future noise levels at specific locations or a figure of distances to typical noise levels along the roadway. States should provide this information to local
