ASCI 202 Blog 7-2: The Airport and the Environment

Jet engines are not considered quiet machines and adding multiple engines to one aircraft only compounds the level of piercing noise that is formed. Air travel is common place today with thousands of airplanes flying around the world from city to city but the noise pollution in the surrounding areas fall like a blanket of stress on residents. This is something that airport managers need to consider for their airfields and for the health and well being of the surrounding community.

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Noise pollution from aircraft have been known to increase blood pressure, increase risk of cardiovascular disease, disrupt sleep patterns, increase stress levels, and stunt learning development in young children (Basner,..., 2017). This issue carries enough weight that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has written regulations governing noise pollution and airport design planning. The Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 dictates the checklists, programs, and planning necessary to operate within acceptable unwanted sound limitations. (FAA, 2021). Some of the items covered in this Act to mitigate noise pollution are scheduled departure and arrivals times based on runway configuration, sound barriers, and limiting residential property proximity to newly developed airports. 

An example of this is Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, AK. From 8am-4pm, fighter type aircraft departures are limited to 25% of air traffic flow off of runway 34 due to the elementary school a few miles off the approach end. There is always the question as to why put an elementary school so close to an airport? As airports developed, communities surrounding them did as well but soon the aircraft themselves developed. This school in the Mountain View district was present prior to the completion of runway 34 as well as the implementation of the F-22 and the F-15 aircraft at this Air Force Base.

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A few things to consider as an airport manager would be scheduling arrival and departure aircraft times as in the Air Force Base scenario, improved sound barriers at the airfield, alternate approach methods to the airport, or relocation of the airport. On the engineering side, engine development to reduce noise is a viable opportunity to combat this issue.

For a much more specific solution, as residents near an airport, consider who is in public office overseeing the communities interests. Going back to Anchorage, Alaska, Ted Stevens International Airport is situated right in the heart of the town. FedEx and UPS both have large hubs there and produce much cargo traffic. Looking at an airspace sectional, the Anchorage bowl is surrounded by mountains to the north, ocean to the south, and full of airports. The controlled airspace within this area looks like a cluster of grapes with six controlled airspaces touching one another. FedEx and UPS both petitioned the city of anchorage to relocate the international airport one hour north of town, away from residents and buildings, for no money down and as a joint endeavor. This $50B project would triple the area of the current airport, give UPS and FedEx twice the ramp space, and still remain close to town but have sufficient open land to mitigate noise pollution. Anchorage voted NO. 

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Luke

Word Count: 517

References 

Basner, M., Clark, C., Hansell, A., Hileman, J. I., Janssen, S., Shepherd, K., & Sparrow, V. (2017). Aviation Noise Impacts: State of the Science. Noise & health, 19(87), 41–50. https://doi.org/10.4103/nah.NAH_104_16

FAA. (August 17, 2021). 14 CFR, Chapter 1, Subchapter 1, Part 161. Retrieved on 18 August, 2021 from https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=243d803bf33a2f497a575740f07a2010&ty=HTML&h=L&mc=true&r=PART&n=pt14.3.161

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