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 Def: 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

Justification for Airside Improvement Plan

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

New Analysis Methods: CatEx?

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

Thank You! Questions?