Prediction of Aircraft Noise Impact with Application to Hong Kong International Airport

Chunhui Wu,Stephane Redonnet

doi:10.3390/aerospace8090264

Chunhui Wu, Stephane Redonnet

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace8090264

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Abstract

As part of a collective research effort towards greener aviation, the present study focuses on the noise impact of aircraft operations around major airports. To this end, an aircraft noise prediction platform is developed, which relies on state-of-the-art functionalities as well as more specific, innovative features. Originally built upon the Aircraft Noise and Performance (ANP) database and its Noise–Power–Distance (NPD) table, the method is further refined to alleviate most of their inherent limitations (e.g., standardized and simplified aircraft noise scenarios). The resulting aircraft noise prediction platform is validated against benchmark cases of increasing complexity, being then applied to real-life situations involving actual aircraft operations around Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). Specific comparative analyses are conducted, which allow highlighting the variability of the noise impact by aircraft, depending on their type (A330, B777) and/or operational conditions (power settings, meteorological conditions, routes, banks, etc.). The study delivers insightful outcomes, whether phenomenological (aircraft noise impact) or methodological (aircraft noise prediction). As a by-product, it illustrates how noise prediction methods/platforms such as the present one may help in guiding the further expansion of airport operations and/or infrastructures (as is currently the case with HKIA).

Highlights

The development of low-noise technologies and the establishment of more stringent regulations have led to a continuous decrease in the noise impact by air traffic over recent decades [1]
It is worth reminding that such a noise impact is commonly measured in terms of Sound Exposure Level (SEL) or Effective Perceived Noise Level (EPNL), both of which represent the overall sound energy of a single noise event once integrated over a given duration [37,54] and tailored to the sensitivity of the human ear
The present study focuses on the noise impact by aircraft operations around major airports

Summary

Introduction

The development of low-noise technologies and the establishment of more stringent regulations have led to a continuous decrease in the noise impact by air traffic over recent decades [1]. The baseline methodology underlying INM is best described in ref [49], which was issued by a concertation group of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) in the framework of the END initiative [48] Since the latter initiative extends to other industries (civilian and military aviation, railway, road traffic, etc.), current efforts focus on unifying and standardizing the prediction tools for environmental noise mitigation, for instance by developing the so-called Common Noise Assessment Methods in Europe [50]. The CNOSSOS-EU approach relies on the INM model whereas integrating additional databases, thereby offering to tackle civilian aircraft, and military ones, as well as helicopters, or specific airport operations (e.g., engine run-up noise) This may be pivotal in implementing strategic noise maps [51,52], thereby helping policymakers in their efforts to improve the land-use planning around major airports, as advocated by ICAO for mitigating environmental noise by air traffic.

Overview

Specific Improvements Brought to the Methodology

Context

Noise Impact Variability upon the Meteorological Conditions

Findings

Conclusions and Perspectives