RMCA List
 
 
In 1995, The Chicago Department of Aviation (DOA) began a program to provide noise remediation to homes in the communities surrounding O'Hare and Midway International Airports. Today, the O'Hare and Midway Residential Sound Insulation Programs (RSIP) are two of the most aggressive, fast-paced noise abatement programs in the United States. Sound reducing modifications are performed in the homes, ranging from replacing existing windows and doors with acoustical products to furnishing central air conditioning.

The current status of the programs is as follows:
   
  • Over 5,900 O'Hare homes sound insulated
  • Over 3,200 Midway homes sound insulated
 
 

Since 1995, R.M. Chin & Associates, Inc. (RMCA) has provided Program and Construction Management Services. RMCA oversees all aspects of implementation and management including development of program scope/budget, identification of homes, design, outreach, and managing construction. RMCA staff has created all handbooks, bid packages, general conditions, and construction management manuals. In addition, RMCA has played an integral part of meeting Federal Aviation Administration's and the City of Chicago's goals for sound insulation.
 
 
RMCA works closely with both the DOA and the O'Hare and Midway Noise Compatibility Commissions. The Commissions are comprised of Mayors and Representatives from the communities and school districts surrounding the airports, who oversee the Residential Sound Insulation Programs and allocate funding for each Program year.

The underlying goal of the Program/Construction Management team is to provide the most cost-efficient sound insulation of the homes. An important aspect of this program is homeowner satisfaction by using quality acoustical materials and keeping the disturbance to the homeowners at a minimum.
 
 

With such an aggressive noise remediation program, RMCA uses a line item method of contracting. Bidding proceeds while home inventories are being conducted. Line items are reviewed and tightened to reduce the cost per home annually. RMCA has realized cost efficiencies by producing all program materials with in-house staff, including manuals, homeowner handbooks and forms, bid packages, and contract administration manuals. In addition, design technicians double as field inspectors thus utilizing their services full time.