AIRPORT NOISE ABATEMENT

Legislation approved by Congress in November 1990 requires a phaseout of noisy, older airplanes by 2000 (Kandebo, 1992, p. 81). In the intervening time period, progressively more strict noise level restrictions will become effective on as stepbystep basis.

The federal government in the United States defines serious noise levels associated with aircraft as those situations where the annual average exceeds 65 decibels (Aviation Week and Space Technology, 1988, p. 9). That noise level is somewhat louder than normal conversation (which is 60 decibels), and much quieter than the average household vacuum cleaner (which is 80 decibels).

Federal law mandates that all aircraft and all airports meet these standards by 2000 (Pilling, 1991, p. 17). Individual airlines are permitted to stretch this deadline by an additional three years, if hardship can be demonstrated.

The Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) is charged with the responsibility to develop rules for implementing the federal noise abatement legislation. The FAA desires uniform noise abatement procedures across the nation. In 1990, the municipalities and community groups around SeattleTacoma International Airport (SeaTac), the airlines which operate at the airport, and the Port of Seattle (operator of the airport), with the cooperation of the local Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) office,

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aircraft noise far from the airports, as a consequence of the takeoff and landing flight patterns. If the FAA and the airlines ignore these issues now, they will be back to haunt them in the future. Purpose of the Study The purpose of the proposed research study will be to compare the approaches to airport noise control on an international basis. The object of such a comparison will be to develop a body of knowledge that will facilitate the addressing of airport noise abatement in the urban planning process. Research Questions Four research questions will be investigated through the conduct of the proposed study. The first two research questions deal with the social impacts of airport noise, while the second two research questions deal with the economic impacts of airport noise. These research questions are as follows: 1. Social impacts of airport noise: a. Based upon international comparisons (the European Community, Japan, and the United States), which policies have been most effective in addressing the social impacts of airport noise? b. What actions (social, political, economic, and technological) would be required to effectively implement such policies in the United States. 2. Economic impacts of airport noise:
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 3036
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page)