Land use compatibility and aircraft noise impact assessment at Sphinx International Airport

Abstract

Aircraft noise is one of the main causes of health problems in the cities surrounding airports, this study used Sphinx International Airport (HESX), west of Cairo, Egypt, as a case study. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses both urban planning and aviation disciplines, We have used the Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT) software in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) environment. Onscreen digitizing of land-use areas, compared with the reference points observed directly on the field found out that around 80% of the researched area is subjected to aircraft noise of less than 65 dB(A). Therefore, HESX operations have almost no significant noise impact on the surrounding environment. We aim to provide recommendations to decrease the potential effects of aircraft noise levels, and enhance future urban planning and land use compatibility, which ultimately reduce noise-related diseases. According to the Egyptian Environmental Law, the noise contour line 65 dB(A) is the undesired noise threshold.