Attenuating jet aircraft noise in single‐family residences near major U.S. airports

Abstract

Most noise attenuation of single‐family residences near major U.S. airports has been achieved by acquisition and removal of homes. This noise remedy is not only extremely costly but it also disrupts social networks, undermines education and social institutions, lowers tax bases, and can generate subsequent land use problems. Acquisition as a noise remedy is limited to those areas where jet noise is the worst. The thousands of homes that cannot be purchased but endure noise peaks of near 100 dB must be addressed by other remedies. SeaTac International Airport and other airports are initiating acoustical insulation programs to lower interior noise levels to acceptable levels. An issue involved in these developing noise mitigation programs is how to set and achieve noise level goals that realistically make interior noise levels livable and are acceptable to the Federal Aviation Administration that funds up to 80% of program costs. The issue involves answering questions such as: Are interior peak noise levels (SEL) to be reduced low enough to allow uninterrupted communication (i.e., TV, telephone, conversation)? Is an average noise criterion (Ldn) sufficient? Is it possible to standardize interior noise goals when airports have widely divergent levels of activity? Noise remedy programs at SeaTac and other airports must address this basic issue to assure continued funding of their multimillion dollar efforts.