Strategic Noise Mapping of Herakleion: The Aircraft Noise Impact as a factor of the Int. Airport relocation

Abstract

AbstractIn the framework of the European Directive 2002/49/EC, the city of Herakleion in Crete Island (Greece) recently completed (2013) its Strategic Noise Map (SNM) and relevant Noise Action Plan (NAP). Strategic noise mapping and action plans are important tools to define the main strategies to reduce noise exposure of residents and introduce and preserve "quite zones". Within this framework and as a part of the Herakleion city Strategic Noise Mapping general a specific analysis was introduced in the urban area of Alikarnassos (east part of the city) adjacent to the International Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis”. The 2nd biggest airport in Greece, airport is proposed to be relocated in Kastelli area (some 37 km south of the Herakleion city centre, far away from dense populated areas), within the next decade but in the mean time, air traffic (take of, taxi and landing procedures, especially during the extended spring and summer period), are affecting the city. This paper analyzes the extended acoustic measurement monitoring program and the modelling of environmental noise levels within the city’s SNM introducing - state of the art - qualitative surveys on the sound perception and noise annoyance by the residents as well as in depth analysis of the urban and architectural tissue. All these results have been transcribed in several maps introducing a very comprehensive evaluation tool towards an efficient noise action plan leading to the eventual relocation of the airport. This paper presents the main results of this research aiming to the evaluation of the inffluence at the inhabitants’ sonic comfort from aircraft operation.