Airport noise is a growing concern for the communities that live near airports. Airport noise pollution is a broad term that encompasses noise that is created from various aviation sources such as aircrafts taking off and landing, aircrafts taxiing to their gates, ground support equipment and vehicular traffic. This noise affects the surrounding environment and can have serious implications on noise levels, air quality and public health. It is important for airports to proactively address the problem to ensure the safety and comfort of residents near an airport.
Airport noise has a number of unique impacts on its surroundings. Not only does the noise reduce the quality of life for nearby residents, but it also affects the properties near the airport. Property loss due to noise can decrease the value of the properties near an airport, leading to potential drops in the tax revenue of the local economy. Airport noise can also affect water bodies as the engine noise can travel through water and cause disruption to aquatic life. It is important for airports to consider these unique impacts when implementing noise abatement measures.
Key Takeaways
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1. Airport noise is caused when aircraft operations occur during the day or night, resulting in high levels of noise pollution in local communities.
2. Airport noise can lead to negative physical and mental health effects, such as sleep disturbance, elevated stress levels, and cardiovascular problems in those who are exposed to it regularly.
3. Aircraft noise levels can be reduced by implementing noise abatement procedures such as implementing quieter and more fuel-efficient aircraft, managing flight paths more effectively, changing aircraft operational times, and providing communities with better access to noise monitoring systems.
4. Effective noise reduction strategies require collaboration between stakeholders, such as residents, airport operators, and regulators, in order to promote sustainable air transportation.
5. Mitigation goals should be tailored to local noise conditions, as the effects of airport noise can vary significantly across different regions and environments.
What are the Negative Effects of Airport Noise?
Environmental Consequences of Airport Noise
Airport noise pollution affects wildlife in many potentially damaging ways. Studies have shown that acoustic disturbances caused by aircraft flight paths can disrupt species communication, impair reproductive success, and affect habitat quality. In addition, overcrowding of bird nesting sites caused by airport noise deter species from using them. Therefore, the noise pollution caused by aircraft flight paths can have adverse effects on species diversity, abundance and community composition.
Health Impacts of Airport Noise
The negative health consequences of airport noise are well-documented. Airport noise has been linked to noise-induced high blood pressure and increased levels of psychological distress. It has also been linked to sleep disruption, cognitive impairment, and hearing loss. Furthermore, long-term air traffic noise exposure has been associated with stress-related diseases such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Economic Effects of Airport Noise
The economic effects of airport noise can be far-reaching, with both direct and indirect impacts. Direct costs include noise abatement projects, which involve soundproofing buildings and limiting take-off and landing operations. Indirect costs include reduced land values, increased housing costs, and retaliatory measures from affected local businesses.
Social Impact of Airport Noise
The social impacts of airport noise can be wide-ranging and complex. Studies have demonstrated that people living close to airports report lower levels of life satisfaction, higher levels of stress, and reduced social wellbeing due to the noise pollution.
What are the Tactics to Reduce Airport Noise?
1. Implement Strategic Noise Abatement Procedures: Strategic Noise Abatement Procedures (SNAPs) promote the adoption of noise reduction initiatives such as soundproofing buildings, flying at higher altitudes and shifting take-off and landing operations away from residential areas.
2. Assign FlightPatterns: Assigning and enforcing specific flightpaths minimize the amount of aircraft traffic in sensitive areas, resulting in less noise.
3. Limit Flight Operations During Peak Hours: Limiting airport operation hours and encouraging airlines to fly during quieter times reduces noise levels.
4. Enhance Aircraft Efficiency: Advances in aircraft technology have the potential to significantly reduce noise levels.
5. Plant Trees as Sound Barriers: Planting trees and shrubs as sound barriers is a simple but effective way of reducing noise levels.
What are the sources of airport noise?
The primary sources of airport noise are ground vehicle motors, aircraft operations (including taxiing, takeoff, and landing) and aircraft flyovers. Typical sources that generate aircraft noise include, but are not limited to, jet and piston-engine aircraft.
What type of aircrafts generate the most noise?
Jet aircrafts generally produce the loudest noise. Even at a distance, the engines of a jet aircraft can reach peak noise levels of 120 decibels.
What distance can Airport noise be heard from?
The noise of aircrafts can be heard up to several miles away from an airport depending on the prevailing weather. Generally speaking on a calm day, the noise of an aircraft taking off from a commercial airport may be heard up to a distance of 8-12 miles.
What type of impact does airport noise have human health?
Prolonged exposure to airport noise in close vicinity can lead to adverse physical and mental health effects such as hearing loss, increased blood pressure, impaired cognitive functioning, and anxiety.
How can people protect themselves from the sound of aircraft?
To reduce the impact of aircraft noise, people should invest in double paned windows, air conditioning units and HVAC systems, heavy-duty insulation, and noise canceling devices as noise protection techniques.
What is the difference between Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) and Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL)?
Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) assigns more weight to nighttime noise measurements than CNEL does. DNL is calculated by adding 10 decibels to sound values received by people at night. The CNEL (community noise equivalent level) assigns five decibels of extra weight to nighttime sound measurements.
Is there an average limit of airport noise that residential areas should adhere to?
Yes. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a noise limit of 65 decibels for residential areas located near airports. Anything above 65 decibels is considered to be a noise nuisance.
What can be done to control airport noise?
Several noise mitigation methods can be implemented to reduce and control aircraft noise near airports. These noise mitigation methods include, but are not limited to, acoustic insulation, re-distribution of aircraft flight paths, land-use planning, and noise abatement tactics.
Is it possible to reduce airport noise in urban areas?
Yes, studies have shown that aircraft noise can be significantly reduced in urban areas through actions such as increasing the distance between aircraft and residential areas, instituting noise-reduction policies, and engaging in noise abatement activities.
How can businesses protect their customers from airport noise?
Businesses located in close proximity to airports can protect their customers from airport noise by investing in acoustic insulation, double/triple paned windows, and air conditioning systems. Since noise can travel through walls, it is important to consider soundproofing an entire facility, not just adding sound-dampening materials to some interior walls.
Final thought
Airport noise is one of the most common environmental problems people living near airports have to contend with. While technological improvements have reduced the environmental impact of aircraft noises, it is still necessary to take proactive steps to reduce airport noise to protect the health and safety of the people living near airports. Acoustic insulation, noise abatement tactics, and land-use planning are some of the most effective methods for controlling aircraft noise.
Although Aircraft noise can be a nuisance, with appropriate measures in place, airports can coexist peacefully with the communities surrounding them. Proactive measures should be taken in both urban and suburban areas to protect people from the consequences of airport noise pollution.
