140 likes | 261 Views
Planning for Airport Noise The Roar of Discontent. Luke Jensen 16.781 Airport Systems November 12, 2013. Outline. Aircraft Noise Metrics Planning and Reporting Requirements Case Study 1: Logan Runway 14/32 Case Study 2: Greener Skies over Seattle. Noise Metrics.
E N D
Planning for Airport NoiseThe Roar of Discontent Luke Jensen 16.781 Airport Systems November 12, 2013
Outline • Aircraft Noise Metrics • Planning and Reporting Requirements • Case Study 1: Logan Runway 14/32 • Case Study 2: Greener Skies over Seattle
Noise Metrics Noise is any unwanted sound • Perceived loudness is ultimate concern • “A-weighted” dB • Equivalent Noise Level • DNL, CNEL • Other metrics • Max Level • Time-Above Graphic: Harris, Miller, Miller, & Hansen
Converting “Noise” to “Annoyance” • Complicated problem • Highly subjective • Compounding factors • Pitch • Loudness • Sharpness • Tonality • Duration • Time of day • Regression appropriate?
Mandatory Reporting Requirements • National Environment Policy Act (NEPA, 1969) • FAA Airport Environment Program • Order 1050.1E • Environmental Impact Statement • Environmental Assessment • Mandatory for all expansion projects
Optional Reporting • FAA Airport Environment Program • Part 150: Noise Compatibility Planning • Required for federal NCP funding • Optional, but lucrative • Part 161: Noise-related Access Restrictions
Case Study #1: Logan Airport Runway 14/32 • Opened in 2006 • 34-year development timeline (mostly politics) • Clear-cut symbolism of new pavement Graphic: HNTB Graphic: Michael Philip Manheim/NARA Graphic: Boston Sunday Globe
Historical Context All Images: Michael Philip Manheim/NARA
Noise Analysis Process: • Detailed forecast • Integrated Noise Model study to obtain contours • Visualization + Census Synthesis
Case Study #2: Greener Skies over Seattle • New “Required Navigation Performance” Approaches • Tailored flight paths • Reduce emissions, flight time • Concentrated flight paths • New frontier of NextGen • Public relations challenge: is this good or bad for communities? Graphic: FAA
Conclusions • Movement toward multi-stakeholder collaborative decision making shows strong promise • Political factors most important factor of environmental review timeline • Noise metrics currently taken as “given”, should likely be revisited given modern noise research • NextGen implementation timeline constrained by environmental review process • Further investigation of Categorical Exception to FAA Order 1050.1E needed