This study examined the development and application of urban planning policies designed to provide for noise abatement in the vicinity of metropolitan area airports. Four research questions were investigated through the conduct of the study. These research questions were as follows:
1. What approach to local planning involvement (contingency valuation measurement or local authority veto) in the airport noise abatement process in the United States would lead to the highest level of social benefits over social costs?
2. What approach to local planning involvement (contingency valuation measurement or local authority veto) in the airport noise abatement process in the United States would lead to the highest level of economic benefits over economic costs?
Based on the research findings, a conclusion was drawn that the CVM approach to local planning participation in the airport noise abatement process is superior to a local authority veto option. The CVM approach could establish non-use values at a level that would cause governments and air transportation companies to opt for the distant-siting of regional airports.
This study examined the development and application of urban planning policies designed to provide for noise abatement in the vicinity of metropolitan area airports. Non-planning policies relevant to the planning process also were examined. The problem statement, study purpose, research questions, and conceptual definition of airport noise are presented in this chapter
Legislation approved by Congress in November 1990 requires a phaseout of the use of noisy, older airplanes at airports in the United States by 2000 (Kandebo, 1992, p. 81). In the intervening time period, progressively more strict noise level restrictions will become effective on as step-by-step basis.
The federal government in the United States defines serious noise levels associated with aircraft as those situations where the annual av...