Compilation of Noise Programs in Areas Outside DNL 65 (2009)

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SURVEY METHODOLOGY An online program was used to survey airports regarding noise outside DNL 65. The survey was developed in collab- oration with the Project Panel, and was designed primarily to identify the reasons airports have addressed noise outside DNL 65, and the range of noise abatement, mitigation, and communication techniques used to address noise outside DNL 65. The survey is reproduced in Appendix A. The survey was directed at targeted airports, which were identified through a review of FAA Part 150 records of approval and with the Project Panel’s advice. The targets included a range of airport sizes and geographic locations. Potential survey recipients were identified by the consultant and Project Panel, based on some knowledge of noise issues at subject airports. In addition, the survey was announced in trade publications (“Airport Input Sought for ACRP Study of Noise Programs Going Outside DNL 65” 2007). Messages were distributed directly from the online survey program and reminders were also personally provided to target airports. These messages provided a short background on the ACRP program and reiterated the purpose and importance of this study. As a result, the pool of respondents does not neces- sarily reflect average opinion on the subject of noise outside DNL 65; it does, however, represent a diverse sample of air- ports in terms of size and geography. Of the 43 airports targeted, 35 responded for an 81% response rate. Multiple choice questions regarding outreach tools, noise metrics, and noise abatement procedures allowed airports to check all options that applied; therefore, responses to some questions could total more than 100%. Appendix B contains the statistical summary of the survey results, as well as responses to open-ended questions including all written comments provided by respondents. OVERALL SURVEY RESULTS There were 35 total respondents to the synthesis survey. Of the 35 respondents, 7 were from California, 8 from Florida and the 12 remaining 20 from throughout the country. Figure 1 depicts the locations of respondents. Eighteen of the 35 airports surveyed (53%) had more than 250,000 annual operations, 29% had 100,000 to 250,000 annual operations, and 6% had less than 50,000 annual oper- ations. Furthermore, 44% of the respondents work for an air- port commission or authority, 27% work for a local govern- ment, and 24% work for an airport management agency. A majority of the survey respondents have more than 15 years experience. The survey included five general questions regarding noise issues outside DNL 65. The responses to these questions are instructive: • A majority of respondents (83%) indicated that noise issues outside DNL 65 were “important,” “very impor- tant,” or “critical” to their airport. The remaining 17% stated that noise issues outside DNL 65 were “somewhat important,” or “not at all important.” • The most frequently listed method of minimizing noise outside DNL 65 was aircraft operator education and out- reach (74% of respondents), followed by noise abatement flight tracks (69%), preferential runway use programs (66%), noise abatement departure or arrival procedures (60%), and ground noise control (51%). • Eighty percent of respondents indicated that “commu- nity concerns” were the motivation for addressing noise outside DNL 65; 57% also indicated that “preventive planning” was a motivation. • Almost three-quarters of respondents (74%) indicated that more than 75% of their airport’s noise complaints come from people who live outside DNL 65. • The most common outreach tools to communicate with people exposed to noise outside DNL 65 are websites (74%), community meetings/forums (74%), online track- ing (40%), and newsletters (40%). CHAPTER THREE SURVEY OF AIRPORTS REGARDING NOISE OUTSIDE DNL 65

13 FIGURE 1 Location of survey respondents.