MITIGATION

OF
ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT
(CE 405E-3)

Reported by:
DORADO, THEA MAE B.
ERFE, MA. CARMELA B.
Mitigation
– is an action to lessen the severity.
Environmental impacts may be classified
according to severity:
-system level
- individual facilities
Mitigating Measures:
 Facility design modifications
 Replacement housing
 Modification of operations
Environmental Problems
 Noise
 Encroachment of natural habitat
 Storm water management
 Hazardous waste and soil
contamination
 Noise
Distribution of matter according to
SEVERITY:
1. Airports / air transportation
2. Urban areas
3. Highways / rail systems
To be studied for solutions:
a. Control at source
d. Location and design of
facilities
c. Noise barriers
d. Insulation of receptors
Measurement of sound is denoted
as the actual sound pressure in
DECIBELS(Db)
Transportation studies focus on a weighted
sound level in terms of activities:
50 dBA – normal conversation
70 dBA – loud conversation at 0.6m
>80 dBA – annoys people
MITIGATION:
 
*reduce noise at source (runway)
 Strategize location
 Insulation of receptors
 Installation of noise barriers
 Acquisition of properties surrounding
the runway
*design modifications focused on
jet engines, predominant on
takeoff.
 Introduction of fan jet engines
 Acoustal lining of inlets and ducts in
exhaust
*Land use guidelines
 Zone A-B: suitable for residential
(55dB rec.)
 Zone D: restricted for unauthorized
activities (>75 dB rec.)
 
Noise classification:
*Highway – continuous
*Railway -sporadic
Mitigation measures at source:
 Noise barriers
 Quiet pavements (asphalt overlay)
 Mufflers for vehicles
 Modification of profile to depress
facilities below ground level
Principal sources of noise: DESIGN MODIFICATIONS
-Highways  Identifying environmentally-
sensitive areas
*Engine and exhaust of  Drainage design
vehicles  Construction of passageways for
*Tire noise wildlife migration
-Railways
Construction of artificial habitats
*Squeal caused by wheel on  It is a requirement if destruction of
tracts natural habitat is involved
(trucks and motorcycles are noisier)  It must be larger than the
environment destroyed
Noise barrier according to type:
Steps to create artificial habitats
-earth beams
1. Know the exact type of habitat to be
-walls (preferably concrete)
built
Reception rate according to material: 2. Determine type of biological aspects
20 dBA – wood (e.g. vegetation)
3. Grade area to desired elevation to
40 dBA – concrete
attract the specific species to be
moved
 Encroachment of  Storm water
natural habitat management
*construction of facilities for all Factors:
types of transportation is apt to disturb  Rainfall / runoff
natural habitats.  Flooding
Causes: *construction of impervious surface can
 Noise alter seepage of rainfall to the ground
 Visual intrusion *surfaces can also contribute to water
 Fumes contamination
 Wildlife conflict
MITIGATION:
Effects: Increase detention of storm water
 Hindrance to animal migration
 Slows runoff
 Water quality alteration
 Decrease peak intensities
 Direct disturbance to wildlife
 Provides time for contaminants to
settle out
MITIGATION:
DETENTION STRUCTURES
1. Strategize location and modify designs to
lessen impact a. BASIN
 Wet ponds are used to remove
-Preservation of actual habitat contaminants
-Construction of artificial habitat b. Infiltration trenches
*few cases use RIGHT OF WAY to preserve  Stone-filled trenches that allow
or enhance rare ecological communities. rainwater to fill in the voids of
the trench
  Effective for water quality
management
c. Porous pavement (open grade)
 Mainly asphalt it allows
seepage
 Normally used in parking lots
d. Vegetative filter strips
 Strip for lands covered with
vegetation
 Sodding on berms and medians
e. Wetlands
 Used for settlement of
contaminants
*the main goal of storm water management
design is to control the intensity and timing
of peak discharge, for it will heavily affect
the minimum capacity of the environment
to hold rainwater.
 Hazardous waste
and soil
contamination
*under current law, transportation agencies
are responsible for remediation of chemical
hazards
 Disposal
 Restrictions of handling
*construction may potentially contain all
types of hazardous wastes. (mainly
petroleum, asbestos and lead)
MITIGATION:
1. Landfilling
 Contaminated materials are
deposited in an approved landfill
2. Containment
 Sealing of hazardous waste or
contaminated soil by capping, slurry
walls, or sheet piles.
3. Treatments
 Incineration (this is now banned in
the Philippines)
*selection of waste management methods
depends on the waste to be treated.
Practical considerations as well as technical
and legal matters must also be considered.
GENERALIZATION
Environmental impacts are observed under
strict compliance whenever construction is
involved in transportation. It is also
necessary to consider the issues regarding
the surroundings that envelop the proposal
of projects. Different environmental factors
such as noise, biological and chemical
hazards, and storm water control are
deciphered to regulate the designs applied
on the field. Further studies regarding the
factors are performed to avoid unwanted
catastrophes.