IMF Effects on Community

Noise

Trains: Currently four intermodal trains pass the IMF location each day.  The IMF is planned for another two intermodal trains.  The level of train activity will be low, with minimal coupling activity and no additional whistle activity.

Transfers: Noise levels involve onsite lifts and transfers.  Tests at a  comparable facility indicated generally low noise levels.

Noise Control: 

• Planned berms at McAdory School to muffle noise and provide viewshed barrier.
• Planned sound barrier along road to McAshan Drive to muffle noise.
• Natural ridges and new and existing vegetation to enhance natural muffling features.
• Routing truck traffic farthest from border adjacent to school and homes.

Norfolk Southern will be assessing opportunities for reduced noise from vehicles, exceptions to safety signaling, and other noise control measures based upon community and governmental agency comments.

Lights

Lighting of the operating areas within the IMF is required for security and safety.  Modern lighting allows the amount of illumination and area to be very carefully controlled.

Lighting Control: 

• Illumination limited to operating areas of the IMF.
• Only 1 foot candle of lighting required.
  • IMF (night)=1 foot candle
  • Ball Field=50 to 100 foot candle
  • Window (daytime)=500 to 1,000 foot candle
  • Daylight=10,000 foot candle
• “Dark Sky Lighting” (International Dark-Sky Association (IDA)) will be used.
  • controls glare
  • controls lighting of adjacent property
  • controls ‘uplighting’ into the sky
  • ensures only minimal necessary lighting amount
  • Halophane lighting allows for shielded lights and directional, downward pointing lighting.

NS is assessing other light control measures based upon community and governmental agency comments.

Property Values

Property values reflect local economic conditions.  Based on research of property values surrounding comparable facilities, such as Austell IMF outside of Atlanta, Georgia, property values should not be reduced by virtue of the IMF. The IMF will support the local economy, keeping property values up and possibly increasing property values by continuing local prosperity.  Economic analysis indicates the IMF will bring up to 8,600 new jobs by 2020 and will have a cumulative 10-year economic impact of over $4 billion.

The design of the IMF and additional measures to preserve neighborhood viewsheds and controls on necessary operations will reduce and avoid impacts to adjacent properties.

Security and Safety

To prevent unauthorized access and prevent accidental access to the IMF, the IMF will be fully fenced and secured. Currently four intermodal trains pass the location each day. The IMF will bring two additional intermodal trains.

Security Measures include:

• Fencing and strict 24/7 access control and staffing.
• The IMF will be lit (see Lighting Control discussion).
• Existing property fences and tree lines will be preserved with the addition of a 15-foot berm behind a fence at the boundary adjacent to McAdory School.   
  • All trucks entering the area must meet security credential requirements and be cleared for entry before they will be allowed on the IMF site. 
  • Trains entering the site will be moving at a very low speed (less than 15 mph).

NS will be assessing additional opportunities for measures to address concerns regarding Security and Safety based upon community and governmental agency comments.

Norfolk Southern is recognized as an industry leader in the safe operation of its transportation fleet and facilities. NS has won the rail industry’s highest award for employee safety — the E.H. Harriman Memorial gold medal — for each of the last 20 years.

Traffic

To assess possible impacts from traffic, a traffic study has been conducted with traffic count information from the area (including school-related traffic).

Traffic Control:

• Access to the facility is planned via McAshan Drive only 1.4 miles from and a direct and suitable access to the Interstate (I-59/20).
• There is no access to the IMF from Eastern Valley Road.  Signage directing trucks leaving the facility to McAshan Drive and away from Eastern Valley Road will be posted.  Trucks are not expected to be going on Eastern Valley Road to access the facility since they will use the shortest, most productive route to access the IMF.
• Signage and traffic controls will be employed to direct traffic from the IMF North on McAshan Drive.
• There will be no additional rail crossings required for the IMF that might affect the flow of traffic.
• The entrance of the IMF will be more than 1 mile from McAdory School and on a different road (McAshan Drive).

Norfolk Southern will be assessing additional opportunities for measures to address concerns regarding traffic based upon community and governmental agency comments. Please click here to read Norfolk Southern responses to specific issues raised by Jefferson County Board of Education Superintendent Dr. Phil Hammonds.