How does aircraft noise Affect the expansion of Airports

What is Aircraft Noise? Aircraft noise is defined as sound produced by any aircraft on run-up, taxiing, take off, over-flying or landing. Aircraft Noise is the Second largest Source of Environmental Noise Following Roadway Noise. High levels of aircraft noise that exist near major commercial airports are known to cause problems to Local Communities.

How is Aircraft Noise Measured Decibels are used to measure aircraft noise. A,B,C weighting scales are used but the A-Weighted scale best imitates the way the human ear responds to noise. The FAA has set the DNL (day-night average sound level) to 65 dB for communities surrounding major airports. Scientific Studies show that human response to aircraft noise depends on the loudness of each single noise event, the number of those events & the time of day in which each event occurs.

Health Issues Aircraft noise is responsible for a significant amount of hearing loss Research into noise pollution also indicates that it contributes to heart diseases, immune deficiencies, skin disorders, asthma and other stress related diseases. The National Institutes of Health stated from research that roughly 65 million Americans are exposed to sound levels that can interfere with their function at work or disrupt sleep, and 25 million are exposed to health risks.

Classification of hearing loss Mild: –for adults: between 25 and 40 dB –for children: between 15 and 40 dB Moderate: between 41 and 55 dB Moderately severe: between 56 and 70 dB Severe: between 71 and 90 dB Profound: 90 dB or greater

Common Environmental Sound Levels

Expansion of the Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport

The Proposed Expansion The Proposed Project includes the extension of the south runway (9R-27L) to the east by about 3,644 for a total length of 8920 and widening it by 50 feet for a total width of 150 feet. It also involves the elevation of runway 9R-27L to a minimum of 37.5 feet mean sea level and construction of a bridge to provide clearance over the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad and U.S. 1.

How does Aircraft Noise Affect the Community? Disrupts use of recreational facilities such as Parks, Beaches and refuge for wildlife. Destroys neighborhoods through takings of private property Degrades there ability to enjoy outdoor activities such as barbecuing, canoeing, boating, walking. Limited mitigation (insulated windows, sound proofing, taking of private property) Health issues associated with aircraft noise.

Alternative Solutions Prohibits operation of Class 1 (untreated) jets & prohibits operation of Class 2 jets between 11 pm and 7 am local time. Work closely with the FAA to use departure paths which Minimize flying over residential areas. Install barrier walls & industrial areas between the airfield & the community Impose night restrictions, which aircrafts may be only operated after 10 p.m. and before 7 a.m. if the noise level for the aircraft type and model meets National Airport's strict noise standards, which are designed to minimize sleep interference. If the noise limitation is violated, Impose strict fines. Make it mandatory for Pilots to use thrust management, a procedure in which pilots of departing flights cut back on the amount of power they apply during takeoff. At an altitude of 1,500 feet, the thrust is reduced to a level that would allow the aircraft to climb at approximately 500 feet per minute. Normal climb power is reapplied when the aircraft is 10 miles from the airfield.

Noise Monitoring System A computerized aircraft noise monitoring system should be helpful in reducing aircraft noise. Permanent remote noise monitoring stations should be installed at strategic locations keyed to the primary arrival and departure paths at any airport. Each noise monitoring station measures and analyzes noise events as they occur. The ability to directly measure aircraft noise at these specific locations helps the Airports Authority to identify the extent of community noise impacts, to predict trends for the future, and to monitor compliance with National's noise abatement procedures.