Aircraft Noise: A Toolkit for Managing Community Expectations (2009) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 56-86
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From page 56... ...
56 After an introductory overview of contents, this chapter begins with a review of three studies of the current practice of public involvement in three peer industries – aviation, surface transportation, and non-transportation environmental concerns. The literature review is followed by a comprehensive look at current practices in communication through five selected airport case studies and one university case study that have similar issues in communicating with the public.
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From page 57... ...
This literature review is located in front of the case studies as a summary of the overall state of community involvement in airports. • Surface Transportation Industry - Best Practices in the Transportation Industry: Transportation Research Board White Paper (13)
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From page 58... ...
(124) Relevance to Aircraft Noise Communications: The public involvement and communications programs of this large general aviation reliever airport are still evolving in relation to some difficult-to-resolve noise issues under consideration as part of a 14 CFR Part 161 airport access study.
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From page 59... ...
, the author reports that most airports have strained relationships with their adjacent communities. Further, that the "reasons for the tension include adverse impacts due to noise and other effects of airport operations, lack of understanding each side's concerns and interests, and insufficient public participation in airport decision-making." (12, p.
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From page 60... ...
. airports and communities typically speak past one another about basic values, norms for what is acceptable in the public space, and what role local agencies and communities should have in airport decision making." (12, p.
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From page 61... ...
The finding that a good on-going relationship is beneficial when shorter term studies or conflicts arise is a powerful justification for improving relationships before a crisis occurs. Best Practices in the Transportation Industry: Transportation Research Board White Paper The non-aviation portion of the transportation industry has begun to understand the importance of two-way communication in transportation planning.
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From page 62... ...
As a result, transportation stakeholders develop a better understanding of agency operations, and agency officials have a better understanding of public thinking. This mutual education improves the agency's relationship with the public.
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From page 63... ...
Case Studies in Airport/Stakeholder Communication 63 • A good public involvement program essentially incorporates dynamic two-way communication, which promotes public feedback, and uses that feedback to transform the decision process and outcome. • Be inclusive, involving decision makers and all interested stakeholders, and also as many groups and individuals in the community as is practicable.
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From page 64... ...
Federal Mandates Although society and other major industries and institutions are proceeding toward greater public participation, the federal mandate for public involvement in air transportation planning is not nearly as strong as for surface transportation. With other less complex and more attractive uses of aviation resources, such as marketing and public relations, which are perceived as being more directly tied to an airport's economic success, it is difficult to get airports to do more in the area of public involvement than is mandated.
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From page 65... ...
This is a major lesson not only for surface transportation, but also for air transportation. Best Practices in the Environmental Industry: Stakeholder Involvement & Public Participation by the U.S.
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From page 66... ...
66 Aircraft Noise: A Toolkit for Managing Community Expectations Lessons Learned: Successful Stakeholder Involvement and Public Participation Activities Require That Agency Staff Receive Training or Expert Assistance A variety of skills and techniques in addition to adequate background knowledge are a must if the initiative is to be successful.
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From page 67... ...
Case Studies Large/Medium-Hub Airport with Passenger Service -- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Aircraft Noise Abatement Office.
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Brief History of Noise Abatement SFO started developing its community response to noise issues in the 1970s. From its once isolated location in the 1940s, the airport, along with the region and its surrounding population, has grown substantially.
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From page 69... ...
The following individuals were interviewed at that time or during the spring of 2008 to prepare the case study: • Aircraft Noise Abatement Manager, San Francisco International Airport; • Chair, Foster City Noise Abatement Committee; and • Roundtable Coordinator, San Francisco International Airport. Key Issues.
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From page 70... ...
Long Beach Airport Noise Compatibility Ordinance Provisions 1. The Long Beach Airport is operational 24 hours a day.
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From page 71... ...
Jet Blue spent $600,000 in fines that went to the Long Beach Library Foundation and was dispersed into the community for technology in family learning centers. Subsequently, Jet Blue has maintained the same number of flights, but adjusted its schedule to direct late night flights into nearby Los Angeles International Airport.
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From page 72... ...
Members can self-police and identify problem operators. They can suggest creative solutions to noise issues because they have expertise, contacts, and resources.
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(108) The communications program for noise at Louisville International Airport (SDF)
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In 1999 the City of Minor Lane Heights officially annexed the Heritage Creek area for its new city. About 25 homes remain in the previous Minor Lane Heights location near the airport, occupied by owners who have chosen not to relocate.
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From page 75... ...
For the spring, 2008 case study interviews, the following individuals were interviewed: • Noise and Environmental Programs Officer, Louisville Regional Airport Authority; • Chair, Louisville Community Noise Forum; • Board Member, Louisville Regional Airport Authority; • Mayor, Heritage Creek (Minor Lane Heights) ; • UPS Airport Properties representative, Louisville and Minneapolis.
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From page 76... ...
The community representatives took responsibility to become partners in the study, teach themselves and learn about aviation and noise issues, and chair committees on a rotating basis. • The participation of the primary airport user, UPS, was a model for the investment of time, leadership, and resources for testing ideas.
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From page 77... ...
• Establish Fines for Violations of VNY Noise Abatement Policies: This would make the voluntary "Quiet Jet Departure" program mandatory and establish penalties. • Establish Maximum Daytime Noise Limits: Establish a maximum daytime noise limit for all aircraft operating at VNY of 77 dBA.
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From page 78... ...
Currently, because noise abatement and public relations staff have good reputations for reaching out to the public and supportive leadership on the advisory committee, conflict with the community appears to be modest. Interview Results The Case Study interviews were focused on including the primary people responsible for management and communication of the noise abatement program and representation of community interest groups, as well as others with insight into the noise issues at VNY.
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From page 79... ...
Both the Noise staff and the Public and Community Relations staff at VNY saw themselves as being responsible for working with the public on noise issues and took pride in their efforts to be the personal face of the airport to the community. • Pursue voluntary compliance, which requires good communication between the airport and users, as the best short-term hope for noise abatement.
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From page 80... ...
The airport is the base to 230 aircraft, including single- and multi-engine piston, turboprop, and jet engine aircraft and helicopters. It is a designated general aviation reliever for Port Columbus International Airport.
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Through experimentations, the Airport identified communications techniques that worked in their situation and techniques that were not successful. Communication Techniques That Worked for OSU • When considering strategies for dealing with the community on controversial issues, identify the widest possible group who might be impacted and how they might be involved or addressed.
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From page 82... ...
If these institutions have focused strictly on sending their messages out rather than establishing two-way communication with important publics, they may suddenly find themselves embroiled in conflict and confronted with a crisis. Colleges and universities must rethink and restructure their communication and public relations functions to include two-way communication and community engagement as a means of avoiding certain crisis situations.
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From page 83... ...
: Interim Chancellor communicates, expansion plan is withdrawn Afterwards New Chancellor brings in the City of Kansas City planning staff to help craft a successful new approach to Neighborhoods work within the process to achieve mutually acceptable goals and development planning and working with neighborhoods Table 5-1. Dialogue framework.
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From page 84... ...
84 Aircraft Noise: A Toolkit for Managing Community Expectations With the feedback and ideas gathered from the kick-off meeting, the authors helped neighborhood and University leaders form a group of stakeholders that met monthly, which led to the development of UMKC's "Partners Project For Planning – Master Plan". This land use and campus planning document was written to document the new and improved collaborative planning process between the University and its surrounding community.
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From page 85... ...
Case Studies in Airport/Stakeholder Communication 85 • Maintain two-way communication. The Leepers quote K
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From page 86... ...
• Data: Provide the community with good, understandable, timely, and relevant data related to noise issues. Use data to build trust and reconcile expectations: be open and direct.
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