Primer and Framework for Considering an Airport Noise and Operations Monitoring System (2022)

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A I R P O R T C O O P E R A T I V E R E S E A R C H P R O G R A M ACRP RESEARCH REPORT 237 2022 Research sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration Subscriber Categories Aviation • Environment Primer and Framework for Considering an Airport Noise and Operations Monitoring System Christian Valdes Vincent Mestre Alan Hass Sarah Farsalas Landrum & Brown, Inc. Cincinnati, OH i n a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h Bernard Barry Barry Technologies, Inc. Chicago, IL

AIRPORT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM Airports are vital national resources. They serve a key role in transpor- tation of people and goods and in regional, national, and international commerce. They are where the nation’s aviation system connects with other modes of transportation and where federal responsibility for man- aging and regulating air traffic operations intersects with the role of state and local governments that own and operate most airports. Research is necessary to solve common operating problems, to adapt appropriate new technologies from other industries, and to introduce innovations into the airport industry. The Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) serves as one of the principal means by which the airport industry can develop innovative near-term solutions to meet demands placed on it. The need for ACRP was identified in TRB Special Report 272: Airport Research Needs: Cooperative Solutions in 2003, based on a study spon- sored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). ACRP carries out applied research on problems that are shared by airport operating agen- cies and not being adequately addressed by existing federal research pro- grams. ACRP is modeled after the successful National Cooperative High- way Research Program (NCHRP) and Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP). ACRP undertakes research and other technical activi- ties in various airport subject areas, including design, construction, legal, maintenance, operations, safety, policy, planning, human resources, and administration. ACRP provides a forum where airport operators can cooperatively address common operational problems. ACRP was authorized in December 2003 as part of the Vision 100— Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act. The primary participants in the ACRP are (1) an independent governing board, the ACRP Oversight Committee (AOC), appointed by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation with representation from airport operating agencies, other stakeholders, and relevant industry organizations such as the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), the American Associa- tion of Airport Executives (AAAE), the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), Airlines for America (A4A), and the Airport Consultants Council (ACC) as vital links to the airport community; (2) TRB as program manager and secretariat for the governing board; and (3) the FAA as program sponsor. In October 2005, the FAA executed a contract with the National Academy of Sciences formally initiating the program. ACRP benefits from the cooperation and participation of airport professionals, air carriers, shippers, state and local government officials, equipment and service suppliers, other airport users, and research organi- zations. Each of these participants has different interests and responsibili- ties, and each is an integral part of this cooperative research effort. Research problem statements for ACRP are solicited periodically but may be submitted to TRB by anyone at any time. It is the responsibility of the AOC to formulate the research program by identifying the highest priority projects and defining funding levels and expected products. Once selected, each ACRP project is assigned to an expert panel appointed by TRB. Panels include experienced practitioners and research specialists; heavy emphasis is placed on including airport professionals, the intended users of the research products. The panels prepare project statements (requests for proposals), select contractors, and provide technical guidance and counsel throughout the life of the project. The process for developing research problem statements and selecting research agencies has been used by TRB in managing coop- erative research programs since 1962. As in other TRB activities, ACRP project panels serve voluntarily without compensation. Primary emphasis is placed on disseminating ACRP results to the intended users of the research: airport operating agencies, service pro- viders, and academic institutions. ACRP produces a series of research reports for use by airport operators, local agencies, the FAA, and other interested parties; industry associations may arrange for workshops, training aids, field visits, webinars, and other activities to ensure that results are implemented by airport industry practitioners. ACRP RESEARCH REPORT 237 Project 02-89 ISSN 2572-3731 (Print) ISSN 2572-374X (Online) ISBN 978-0-309-09465-8 Library of Congress Control Number 2022931559 © 2022 National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. COPYRIGHT INFORMATION Authors herein are responsible for the authenticity of their materials and for obtaining written permissions from publishers or persons who own the copyright to any previously published or copyrighted material used herein. Cooperative Research Programs (CRP) grants permission to reproduce material in this publication for classroom and not-for-profit purposes. Permission is given with the understanding that none of the material will be used to imply TRB, AASHTO, FAA, FHWA, FTA, GHSA, NHTSA, or TDC endorsement of a particular product, method, or practice. It is expected that those reproducing the material in this document for educational and not-for-profit uses will give appropriate acknowledgment of the source of any reprinted or reproduced material. For other uses of the material, request permission from CRP. NOTICE The research report was reviewed by the technical panel and accepted for publication according to procedures established and overseen by the Transportation Research Board and approved by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The opinions and conclusions expressed or implied in this report are those of the researchers who performed the research and are not necessarily those of the Transporta- tion Research Board; the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; or the program sponsors. The Transportation Research Board; the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; and the sponsors of the Airport Cooperative Research Program do not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade or manufacturers’ names or logos appear herein solely because they are considered essential to the object of the report. Published research reports of the AIRPORT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM are available from Transportation Research Board Business Office 500 Fifth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 and can be ordered through the Internet by going to https://www.mytrb.org/MyTRB/Store/default.aspx Printed in the United States of America

The National Academy of Sciences was established in 1863 by an Act of Congress, signed by President Lincoln, as a private, non- governmental institution to advise the nation on issues related to science and technology. Members are elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to research. Dr. Marcia McNutt is president. The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to bring the practices of engineering to advising the nation. Members are elected by their peers for extraordinary contributions to engineering. Dr. John L. Anderson is president. The National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) was established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to advise the nation on medical and health issues. Members are elected by their peers for distinguished contributions to medicine and health. Dr. Victor J. Dzau is president. The three Academies work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The National Academies also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding in matters of science, engineering, and medicine. Learn more about the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine at www.nationalacademies.org. The Transportation Research Board is one of seven major programs of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The mission of the Transportation Research Board is to provide leadership in transportation improvements and innovation through trusted, timely, impartial, and evidence-based information exchange, research, and advice regarding all modes of transportation. The Board’s varied activities annually engage about 8,000 engineers, scientists, and other transportation researchers and practitioners from the public and private sectors and academia, all of whom contribute their expertise in the public interest. The program is supported by state transportation departments, federal agencies including the component administrations of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and other organizations and individuals interested in the development of transportation. Learn more about the Transportation Research Board at www.TRB.org.

C O O P E R A T I V E R E S E A R C H P R O G R A M S CRP STAFF FOR ACRP RESEARCH REPORT 237 Christopher J. Hedges, Director, Cooperative Research Programs Lori L. Sundstrom, Deputy Director, Cooperative Research Programs Marci A. Greenberger, Manager, Airport Cooperative Research Program Joseph D. Navarrete, Senior Program Officer Stephanie L. Campbell-Chamberlain, Senior Program Assistant Natalie Barnes, Director of Publications Heather DiAngelis, Associate Director of Publications Ellen M. Chafee, Senior Editor ACRP PROJECT 02-89 PANEL Field of Environment Sandra J. Lancaster, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, DFW Airport, TX (Chair) Paul Hagerty, ALL4 LLC, Kennett Square, PA Xiaobo Liu, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, New York, NY Loren Olson, City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN Bruce Rineer, Maryland Aviation Administration, BWI Airport, MD Hua He, FAA Liaison Veronica Bradley, Airlines for America Liaison Melinda Z. Pagliarello, Airports Council International–North America Liaison

ACRP Research Report 237: Primer and Framework for Considering an Airport Noise and Operations Monitoring System is a comprehensive resource to help airport industry prac- titioners assess the potential benefits and costs of acquiring, maintaining, and updating a Noise and Operations Monitoring System (NOMS) or flight tracking tools without perma- nent noise monitors. The report will be valuable not only for practitioners who might be considering acquiring a NOMS but also for those who might be exploring enhancements to their current system. Airports use NOMSs to collect, manage, analyze, and communicate data such as flight tracks and procedures, aircraft identification, noise measurements, noise abatement program per- formance, and weather. NOMSs are also used to respond to community noise complaints and provide stakeholders with information about aircraft activity and noise, thus fostering trust and transparency. These systems may also be employed for other, non-noise-related tasks, such as monitoring airfield activity and air traffic delays and landing fee reconciliation. While a NOMS can be beneficial, it requires both financial and technical investment; more- over, airports may not have the resources and industry knowledge to adequately evaluate the benefits and costs of these systems. Research was needed to help airports decide whether a NOMS would be appropriate for their situation and evaluate the benefits and costs of acquiring, maintaining, and updating such systems. The research, led by Landrum & Brown, began with a review of regulations, guidelines, and standards regarding the application, funding, and operations of a NOMS. This was followed by a survey to determine the types and number of airports using these systems, the current state of NOMS utilization, and the benefits and disbenefits of a NOMS. The research team then undertook case studies of three airports using a NOMS and four that were not employing the technology. The research concluded with interviews of NOMS vendors to gain an under- standing of trends and technology enhancements. The analysis and findings from the research were then used to prepare this report. The report provides a summary of the steps undertaken to conduct the research. It then describes the history of NOMS technology, its various uses, and the reasons airports acquire a NOMS. The report then provides financial, technical, and staffing requirements. The guid- ance concludes with a helpful decision-making framework to assist airports in determining if a NOMS would be appropriate for their unique situation. Appendices A through K include a literature review, list of airports with an active NOMS, questionnaires used during the research, survey results, case study findings, input from NOMS vendors, a guide for NOMS installation and maintenance, and a guide for developing a noise management program. The appendices can be accessed at www.nap.edu by searching on “ACRP Research Report 237: Primer and Framework for Considering an Airport Noise and Operations Monitoring System”. F O R E W O R D By Joseph D. Navarrete Staff Officer Transportation Research Board

Note: Photographs, figures, and tables in this report may have been converted from color to grayscale for printing. The electronic version of the report (posted on the web at www.trb.org) retains the color versions. 1 Summary 3 Chapter 1 Introduction 4 Chapter 2 Research Background 4 2.1 Literature Review 4 2.2 Airport NOMS Questionnaire 5 2.3 Airport Case Studies 5 2.4 NOMS Vendor Discussion 6 Chapter 3 NOMS Overview 6 3.1 History of Airport NOMSs 8 3.2 The Current State of NOMSs 9 3.3 Future of NOMSs 10 3.4 Current Events That Could Impact the Need for and Use of a NOMS 12 3.5 Fundamentals of a NOMS 18 Chapter 4 Benefits and Disbenefits of Operating a NOMS 18 4.1 Reasons for and Benefits of Acquiring a NOMS 21 4.2 Disbenefits of Acquiring a NOMS 22 Chapter 5 NOMS Resource Requirements 22 5.1 System Funding 24 5.2 Noise Monitor Installation and Maintenance 24 5.3 Noise Management Program 26 Chapter 6 NOMS Strategic Decision Framework 26 6.1 SWOT Analysis 29 6.2 Needs, Purpose, and Requirements Checklist 29 6.3 Decision-Making Process 29 6.4 Funding Options 34 Glossary 39 Bibliography 40 Acronyms 41 Appendices A Through K C O N T E N T S