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Hana Japan Restaurant Project Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration 61 May 2025 sensitive receptor in the project vicinity. The 12 dBA increase is approximately equivalent to a doubling of sound energy and has historically been the standard of significance for Caltrans projects. The Federal Interagency Committee on Noise (FICON) has also developed guidance for determining increases in project-related traffic noise. The criteria shown in Table 6 was developed by FICON as a means of developing thresholds for impact identification for project-related traffic noise level increases. FICON’s significance thresholds are used to identify the significance of an incremental increase in noise levels. Table 5 FICON Noise Exposure Increases for Determining Level of Significance Noise Exposure without Project Potential Significant Impact < 60 dB CNEL +5 dB or more 60-65 dB CNEL +3 dB or more >65 dB CNEL +1.5 dB or more Source: Federal Interagency Committee on Noise (FICON), 2000. The use of the FICON standards is considered conservative relative to thresholds used by other agencies in the State. For example, the California Energy Commission (CEC) considers project-related noise level increases between five to 10 dB significant, depending on local factors. Therefore, the use of the FICON standards, which set the threshold for finding significant noise impacts as low as 1.5 dB, provides a conservative approach to the impact assessment for the proposed project and are used as the applicable noise increase threshold to analyze project-generated operational traffic noise, as discussed in further detail below. Impact Analysis The following sections provide an analysis of potential noise impacts associated with construction and operation of the proposed project. Construction Noise During construction of the proposed project, heavy-duty equipment would be used for grading, excavation, paving, and building construction, which would temporarily increase ambient noise level when in use. Noise levels would vary depending on the type of equipment used, how the equipment is operated, and how well the equipment is maintained. In addition, noise exposure at any single point outside the project site would vary depending on the proximity of construction activities to that point. Standard construction equipment, such as graders, backhoes, dozers, and dump trucks would be used in association with project construction. The maximum noise level for various types of construction equipment at a distance of 50 feet is presented in Table 7. Based on the table, activities involved in typical construction would generate maximum noise levels up to 90 dB at a distance of 50 feet. Typical construction noise sources include construction vehicle engines, idling equipment, and power generators. In addition to on-site construction noise sources, noise would also be generated during the construction phase by increased truck traffic on area roadways. Although project construction would be limited to daytime hours, consistent with Section 9.04.100 of the City’s Municipal Code, construction would take place throughout the site.