Services

ATCS’ Air Quality and Noise Analysis team brings together seven TNM- and NHI-certified specialists and a growing team of point source noise analysts with more than 100 years of cumulative experience spanning some of the largest noise and air quality studies on the East Coast. Beyond project-level analysis, our experts have supported noise program management, expert testimony, construction compliance monitoring, state-specific publication development, ordinance review, and public involvement.
ATCS delivers air quality and noise analysis services across three practice areas, backed by our certified specialists and over a century’s worth of project experience. Whether your project requires federal air quality conformity documentation, a highway noise study, or a point source noise assessment for a data center or industrial operation, our team has the technical depth and regulatory fluency to get it done.
ATCS is a recognized leader in roadway and highway noise analysis for transportation agencies, developers, and local governments. Our TNM- and NHI-certified specialists use the FHWA Traffic Noise Model (TNM) to evaluate noise impacts associated with transportation projects, conducting assessments that satisfy both federal and state requirements.
From preliminary environmental studies to final design noise assessments to design-build delivery, ATCS manages the full lifecycle of highway noise projects. Our work includes some of the East Coast’s largest transportation programs such as the Transform I-66 and 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension projects in Virginia and Maryland’s I-495/I-270 P3 Program.
The ATCS noise team works closely with state DOTs, FHWA division offices, developers, and community stakeholders to ensure noise abatement measures are technically sound, effective, and cost-reasonable. Whether you need rapid screening, a full noise study, or expert support during regulatory review, our certified team delivers results that hold up to scrutiny.
As data centers, manufacturing plants, and energy facilities expand into noise-sensitive communities, demand for expert noise assessment and mitigation has grown substantially. ATCS provides acoustical engineering services for developers, facility owners, and contractors navigating noise compliance for stationary industrial sources including data centers, crypto mining operations, recycling facilities, pump stations, and construction operations.
Our engineers conduct baseline ambient noise surveys, develop 3D sound propagation models, and assess the noise impacts of existing or proposed facilities against applicable local ordinances. When a project faces regulatory scrutiny or community concerns, we help clients weigh multiple compliance options so they can make well-informed decisions. Most facilities can be brought into compliance using a combination of acoustic barriers, equipment enclosures, sound-attenuating louvers, and site layout optimization.
ATCS integrates noise work with site civil design, GIS, stormwater management, environmental permitting, and land development planning. This multi-disciplinary depth translates directly into faster timelines and more cost-effective outcomes.
ATCS’ air quality specialists have the in-house experience to perform various types of air quality assessments for a wide variety of transportation improvement projects. Our team understands and applies the state and federal laws, regulations, guidelines and methodologies that govern the transportation field, including the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). We have performed countless microscale analyses across transportation improvement projects of varying complexity, from extensive interstate improvement projects to simple signalized intersection studies.
Microscale air quality modeling requires a thorough understanding and extensive experience using the emission factor model (e.g. MOVES2014b) as well as the highway pollutant dispersion model (e.g. CAL3QHC). The Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) is EPA’s current official model for estimating air pollution emissions from mobile sources at the national, county and project level for criteria air pollutants, greenhouse gases and air toxics. Our staff members are proficient in the use of MOVES2014b (as well as previous versions MOVES 2014a) and CAL3QHC / CAL3QHCR computer programs. In addition, our experts are constantly monitoring climate change and greenhouse gas (GHG) initiatives.