Noise Mapping and Declaration of Airport Noise Zones

Noise Mapping and Declaration of Airport Noise Zones

Aircraft noise has been recognized as a serious issue that affects the urban regions. Due to urbanization and industrialization, transportation in urban areas has increased. Air traffic density in India and the world at large is growing fast and posing challenging problems. The problems encountered can be parameterized as flight delay, workload of air traffic controllers and noise levels in and around aerodromes. Prediction and quantification of these parameters aid in developing strategies for efficient air traffic management. Noise prediction maps can be used to identify the impact of noise pollution. The objective of the research study is to develop noise maps and declaration of noise zone of Airport.

Noise monitoring and mapping study has been done for Domr]estic/International Airport of India. The noise maps are developed using computer simulation model (SoundPLANnoise 9.0 software). To develop noise map, country wise calculation models such as AzB 2008, AzB 1975, AzB 1975 DIN 45643, AzB 1975 Hungary, AzB 1975 ÖAL 24, BUF:2021 / 2018, CNOSSOS-EU AirNoise:2021/2015, CNOSSOS-AT: 2021/2019, DIN 45684-1: 2013-07, DIN 45689:2020, ECAC 2nd, 3rd and 4th Edition, ÖAL 24:2004, SANC VBUF. are available in SoundPLAN 9.0 software, which was used to develop noise prediction contour maps as per DGCA guidelines. Data required to create noise maps, namely number of flights, pattern of flights, schedule of flights, aircraft types & details, runway information, meteorological data, were collected from Airport Authority. Noise contour maps were validated with actual noise measurements data.

The results of noise monitoring study depicted that the day time & night time noise levels were above the prescribe limit of MOEF&CC, G.S.R 568 (E) dated 18th June 2018. The predicted LAeq by software were found above the prescribed limit during daytime & nighttime. Therefore, Airport Noise Zone has been declared on the basis of existing G.S.R. 751 (E), issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Height Restrictions for Safeguarding of Aircraft Operations) Rules, 2015 published on 30th September, 2015.