The development of major commercial airports promotes the air transport industry and generates positive economic benefits to the airport and to its host economy. However, external costs are associated with these benefits. Any increase in aircraft movement causes negative environmental impacts, especially noise pollution. Governments have reduced aircraft noise levels at their sources, or introduced aircraft noise management strategies (ANMS); however the problems have never been satisfactorily resolved. This research aims at developing a better understanding of the impacts of aircraft noise on community health and well-being by exploring two core research questions: (1) ???Is health related quality of life worse in communities chronically exposed to aircraft noise than in communities not exposed????; and (2) ???Does long-term aircraft noise exposure associate with adult high blood pressure level via noise stress as a mediating factor????. The Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport has been selected as a case study. The health survey instruments have been developed and piloted, and then translated from English into Greek and Arabic. A postal self-administrative health survey (with follow-up letters) has been implemented in the areas surrounding Sydney Airport (called ???aircraft noise exposure group???) and in the matched control group. The total sample size was 1,500 with 47% response rate. This thesis has developed a ???new??? noise index (named Noise Gap Index, NGI) to describe and assess aircraft noise in such a way that is easily understood by the layperson. Factorial analysis of covariance revealed that ???Health related quality of life, in term of physical functioning, general health, vitality, and mental health, of community chronically exposed to high aircraft noise level were worse than the matched control area???. Binary logistic regression analysis found that ???Subjects (aged 15 ??? 87) who have been chronically exposed to high aircraft noise level have the odds of 2.61 of having chronic noise stress. In addition person who have chronic noise stress have the odds of 2.74 of having hypertension compared with those without chronic noise stress???. Finally, the robust hypotheses of effects of aircraft noise on community health and well-being for future experimental study were proposed.

The development of major commercial airports promotes the air transport industry and generates positive economic benefits to the airport and to its host economy. However, external costs are associated with these benefits. Any increase in aircraft movement causes negative environmental impacts, especially noise pollution. Governments have reduced aircraft noise levels at their sources, or introduced aircraft noise management strategies (ANMS); however the problems have never been satisfactorily resolved. This research aims at developing a better understanding of the impacts of aircraft noise on community health and well-being by exploring two core research questions: (1) ???Is health related quality of life worse in communities chronically exposed to aircraft noise than in communities not exposed????; and (2) ???Does long-term aircraft noise exposure associate with adult high blood pressure level via noise stress as a mediating factor????. The Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport has been selected as a case study. The health survey instruments have been developed and piloted, and then translated from English into Greek and Arabic. A postal self-administrative health survey (with follow-up letters) has been implemented in the areas surrounding Sydney Airport (called ???aircraft noise exposure group???) and in the matched control group. The total sample size was 1,500 with 47% response rate. This thesis has developed a ???new??? noise index (named Noise Gap Index, NGI) to describe and assess aircraft noise in such a way that is easily understood by the layperson. Factorial analysis of covariance revealed that ???Health related quality of life, in term of physical functioning, general health, vitality, and mental health, of community chronically exposed to high aircraft noise level were worse than the matched control area???. Binary logistic regression analysis found that ???Subjects (aged 15 ??? 87) who have been chronically exposed to high aircraft noise level have the odds of 2.61 of having chronic noise stress. In addition person who have chronic noise stress have the odds of 2.74 of having hypertension compared with those without chronic noise stress???. Finally, the robust hypotheses of effects of aircraft noise on community health and well-being for future experimental study were proposed.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Western Sydney, Nepean, 2000. / Bibliography : leaves 370-387.

The expected rise in aviation demand requires the reduction of the environmental impacts that impede this desired growth, such as fuel burn, emissions, and airport noise. A number of current technology programs attempt to identify, evaluate, and select the environmental technology solutions for the coming decades. Fleet-level evaluation will be essential to deciding between various technology options because it provides a system-level assessment that clarifies the effect of operational and policy variables. Fleet-level modeling in general, introduces various complexities, and detailed fleet-level models require significant time and computing resources to execute. With a large number of potential technology options available for assessment, a full detailed analysis of the technology space is infeasible. Therefore, a simplified fleet-level environmental evaluation methodology is required to select scenarios to carry forward for detailed modeling. Capabilities such as the Global and Regional Environmental Aviation Tradeoff (GREAT) tool, have achieved rapid simplified fleet-level analysis for fuel burn and emissions, but currently lack a satisfactory generic framework to evaluate fleet-level noise. The primary objective of this research is to formulate and implement a generic fleet-level noise methodology that allows decision makers to analyze the fleet-level impact of many technology scenarios on the quantity of noise, and also its distribution about certain airport types. This information can be leveraged to provide screening assessments of technology impacts earlier in the decision-making process, reserving more sophisticated modeling techniques for the most promising scenarios. The capability gaps identified are addressed by the development of a rapid generic fleet-level noise model that captures basic airport noise contour shape and contour area, a categorization of airports with respect to their operational and infrastructure characteristics, and the development of shape metrics that enable rapid classification and comparison of contour shapes. Once the capability gaps were addressed, the resultant System-Wide Assessment of Noise (SWAN) methodology was implemented via use cases to demonstrate the application of the methodology, examining the introduction of a set of possible near-term (N+1) future technologies into the forecast. While these examples are simplified and notional, they demonstrate the types of analyses and investigations that can be performed with the SWAN methodology, providing answers regarding the impact of technologies on contour shapes. The development, verification, validation, and demonstration of these capabilities complete a framework for evaluating fleet-level noise at the screening-level that retains the ability to capture and effectively discuss shape information beyond the capability of current screening-level noise evaluation techniques. By developing a rapid generic fleet-level noise model, a set of Generic Airports, and metrics that objectively quantify and describe shape, decision-makers can access greater levels of information, including the critical facet of contour shape in fleet-level airport noise.

Thesis (DPhil (Geography and Environmental Studies))—University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / The use of average energy aircraft noise contours as the sole means for guiding aircraft noise-based planning around airports is being questioned increasingly. A growing proportion of residents who live in neighbourhoods adjacent to airports are dissatisfied with the averaging procedure that is employed. In their experience of exposure to aircraft noise, particularly in the evening and at night when they are at home, the average energy aircraft noise descriptors are misleading. In order to effectively analyse the socio-spatial interaction of annoyance at and interference by aircraft noise, an alternative approach has been suggested – a supplemental noise perspective. Conventional approaches to aircraft noise land use planning based on average energy noise descriptors run the risk of being ineffectual, or even counterproductive, because they do not consider the central aspects of disturbance, namely the loudness of an event and the number of times events are heard. Consequently, an alternative measure to ameliorate the limitations of average energy noise contours is needed by which airport neighbours, the aviation industry and town planners can better understand the nature of the problem. Although supplemental noise analysis is not new, this study applies it to a South African international airport (OR Tambo) for the first time. The airport’s operations are typical of many busy airports close to large urban areas, serving domestic, regional and international routes. Reportedly, there have been few complaints about noise emanating from the airport, but when they are made they are usually about evening and night-time aircraft noise events. In the context of South Africa as a developing society in transition, where growth of urban settlements continues apace, average energy aircraft noise information must be enhanced by providing supplemental noise information. This study investigated the broad issue of land use planning around airports by employing two aircraft noise prediction models, namely the Integrated Noise Model and the Transparent Noise Information Package, to establish the various potential effects and consequences of night-time aircraft noise in noise zones demarcated according to supplemental aircraft noise information. The effects and consequences examined include annoyance, disturbance of sleep, telephone conversations, watching television and work or study, and the likelihood that people will move away to escape night-time aircraft noise. The perceptions of residents living in neighbourhoods around the airport were surveyed and the responses analysed according to noise zones classified as supplemental noise information. The results show that the airport’s neighbours are annoyed by aircraft noise and that aircraft noise interferes with normal household activities. This annoyance and interference decreases with increasing distance from the airport. Furthermore, reported annoyance and interference is greater in those areas where higher numbers of noise events are encountered, even at relatively low noise levels of 60 LAmax – something not evident from average energy noise contours. This finding strengthens the argument that it is insufficient to provide only average energy aircraft noise information when studying the impact of aircraft noise. To understand the situation more fully, supplemental noise information is essential. The study concludes with a framework constructed to apply supplemental aircraft noise information to the abatement and mitigation measures normally used to deal with aircraft noise.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The noise produced by aircraft during operations around airports represents a senous social, technical, economic and environmental problem which is only going to get worse as air traffic volumes increase. Rapid urbanisation, development encroachment and poor planning in the past have resulted in noisy airport runways being situated too close to residents' living space. Rapid industrial growth and lack of funding exacerbate noise problems in developing countries. Moreover, developing countries and especially South Africa tend to have moderate climates and open-window living, which makes insulation an ineffective solution to the noise problem. This study aims at employing GIS to establish the potential noise exposure of various sensitive land use categories and population groups in the noise-controlled area at Cape Town International Airport. Firstly, options for the demarcation of a noise-controlled area were evaluated. Thereafter, incompatible land uses and priority areas for land use compatibility projects were identified and recommendations made for urban renewal projects for these areas. Lastly, the noise-exposed population were profiled according to vulnerability characteristics and vulnerable groups identified and located. A recommendation was made that Cape Town International Airport set up an interactive map-based website to disseminate information to the public about noise and any other important issues concerning the airport. An Internet GIS application would empower citizens by providing them with a dynamic and interactive tool for improved public participation and a better understanding of the potential environmental and socio-economic effects of the airport. Noise complaints could also be investigated through the website and prompt feedback given to the communities complaining about aircraft noise. At the local community level where people are being annoyed every day and night resulting in negative health effects, the problem of aircraft noise demands urgent attention, and measures should be put in place to reduce vulnerability to noise and improve the overall quality of life of noiseweary residents. Keywords: aircraft noise, noise mapping, noise-controlled area, noise contours, land use compatibility, noise exposure / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die geraas veroorsaak deur vliegtuie by lughawens bied ernstige sosiale, tegniese, ekonomiese en omgewingsprobleme, wat net erger gaan raak namate vlugverkeer toeneem. Snelle verstedeliking, ontwikkelings-oorskryding en swak beplanning in die verlede het veroorsaak dat raserige aanloopbane te nabyaan mense se leefruimte gebou is. Vinnige industriële groei en 'n tekort aan befondsing vererger geraasprobleme in ontwikkelende lande. Bowendien het ontwikkelende lande, en veral Suid Afrika, 'n matige klimaat en oop-venster-leefwyse wat isolering 'n oneffektiewe oplossing maak vir die geraasprobleem. Hierdie studie het ten doelom GIS te gebruik om die potensiële geraas blootstelling van sensitiewe grondgebruike en bevolkingsgroepe in die geraas-kontrole area by Kaapstad Internasionale Lughawe vas te stel. Eerstens is opsies vir die afbakening van die geraas-kontrole area geëvalueer. Daaropvolgend IS onversoenbare grondgebruike en prioriteitsareas VIr grondgebruikversoeningsprojekte geïdentifiseer en aanbevelings gemaak vir stedelike vernuwingsprojekte vir hierdie areas. Laastens is 'n profiel daargestel van die geraas-blootgestelde bevolkings volgens kwesbaarheidskenmerke en kwesbare groepe is geïdentifiseer en hulligging aangedui. 'n Voorstel is gemaak dat Kaapstad Internasionale Lughawe 'n interaktiewe kaart-gebaseerde webwerf in werking moet stelom inligting oor geraas- en ander belangrike probleme in verband met die lughawe beskikbaar te stel vir die publiek en ander belanghebbendes. 'n Internet-GIS toepassing sal mense bemagtig deur hulle te voorsien van 'n dinamiese en interaktiewe meganisme wat sal lei tot beter gemeenskapsdeelname en ook 'n beter begrip van die potensiële omgewings- en sosio-ekonomiese uitwerking van die lughawe. Klagte oor geraas kan ook deur die webwerf hanteer en ondersoek word, en verder hulp verleen word deur vinnige terugvoering aan die gemeenskap wat die klagtes gelê het. Op plaaslike gemeenskapsvlak, waar mense elke dag en nag geïrriteerd raak en waar dit dan kan lei tot negatiewe gesondheidsinvloed, sal die probleem van vliegtuiggeraas dringend aangespreek moet word, en stappe geneem word ten einde kwesbaarheid van inwoners teenoor vliegtuiggeraas te verminder. Dit sal dan lei tot die algehele verbetering van die lewensgehalte van geraas-moeë Inwoners. Sleutelwoorde: vliegtuiggeraas, geraaskartering. geraas-kontrole area, geraaskontoere, grondgebruik versoenbaarheid, geraas blootstelling