Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases Summary of Aircraft Noise Annoyance Study Results
January 12, 2021
Today the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a summary of the results from the agency's aircraft noise annoyance study, called the 'Neighborhood Environmental Survey' (NES). According to the summary, the survey findings show a 'substantially higher percentage of people highly annoyed over the entire range of aircraft noise levels' in comparison to the last study completed in 1992. The full NES report is expected to be released on FAA's website tomorrow morning.
AAAE participated in a briefing with FAA leadership on the impending release this afternoon. FAA indicated that the agency briefed each of the 20 airports where the NES was conducted and that the NES results will not affect ongoing projects at these airports. FAA emphasized that publication of the NES is not a policy change and the agency is not recommending any policy changes at this stage. The agency indicated that they want to hear feedback from industry and conduct any additional research before considering any updates to policy.
The summary of the results are included in an FAA notice and request for comments that will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow morning. A pre-publication version is available here. The notice provides AAAE and industry with an opportunity to provide comments within 60 days. AAAE will be working with airport members and its Environmental Services Committee to respond to the NES survey results and FAA's request for comments. 
Background. For several years airports have been anxiously awaiting the results of a study initiated by FAA in 2015 to update existing evidence and understanding of the relationship between aircraft noise exposure and its effects on communities around airports. The survey, which FAA has called the 'Neighborhood Environmental Study,' consisted of over 10,000 mail responses from community residents around 20 airports and 2,000 follow-up phone calls. FAA's existing evidence and understanding is based on an analysis and report on transportation noise conducted by the Federal Interagency Committee on Noise (FICON) in 1992. NES results will be used to update the agency's understanding of noise effects since the FICON report. 
Neighborhood Environmental Survey Results. The NES describes the level of community annoyance based on the percentage of people who are 'highly annoyed' and discusses aircraft noise exposure in terms of the DNL noise metric. The following are highlights from results of the NES: 
Other Studies on the Effects of Aircraft Noise. FAA's notice included a summary of additional research that the agency is considering or already conducting to understand the effects of aircraft noise on individuals and communities. This research includes (a) the potential effects of aircraft noise on reading comprehension and learning motivation in children; (b) potential physiological impacts from noise exposure; (c) impacts on cardiovascular health; (d) quantifying the impact of noise exposure on sleep; and (e) an empirical assessment of the economic impacts to businesses located underneath aircraft flight paths. FAA indicated that the economic impact assessment is a follow on to the NES. 
What's Next? FAA is expected to publish the full NES report tomorrow morning. The agency will be considering the full NES results, in conjunction with additional research findings and stakeholder input, to determine how they may inform noise policy considerations. FAA specifically indicated that the agency will not update any of its noise policies until it has considered public and stakeholder input and any additional research that may be needed to improve FAA's understanding of effects of aircraft noise exposure on communities. 
FAA's 'Notice of Research Programs and Request for Comments' will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow, triggering a 60-day comment period that will end on March 15, 2021. AAAE will be working closely with airport members and its Environmental Services Committee to respond to the NES survey results and FAA's request for comments. 
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Justin Barkowski at justin.barkowski@aaae.org. 
Today the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a summary of the results from the agency's aircraft noise annoyance study, called the 'Neighborhood Environmental Survey' (NES). According to the summary, the survey findings show a 'substantially higher percentage of people highly annoyed over the entire range of aircraft noise levels' in comparison to the last study completed in 1992. The full NES report is expected to be released on FAA's website tomorrow morning.
AAAE participated in a briefing with FAA leadership on the impending release this afternoon. FAA indicated that the agency briefed each of the 20 airports where the NES was conducted and that the NES results will not affect ongoing projects at these airports. FAA emphasized that publication of the NES is not a policy change and the agency is not recommending any policy changes at this stage. The agency indicated that they want to hear feedback from industry and conduct any additional research before considering any updates to policy.
The summary of the results are included in an FAA notice and request for comments that will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow morning. A pre-publication version is available here. The notice provides AAAE and industry with an opportunity to provide comments within 60 days. AAAE will be working with airport members and its Environmental Services Committee to respond to the NES survey results and FAA's request for comments. 
Background. For several years airports have been anxiously awaiting the results of a study initiated by FAA in 2015 to update existing evidence and understanding of the relationship between aircraft noise exposure and its effects on communities around airports. The survey, which FAA has called the 'Neighborhood Environmental Study,' consisted of over 10,000 mail responses from community residents around 20 airports and 2,000 follow-up phone calls. FAA's existing evidence and understanding is based on an analysis and report on transportation noise conducted by the Federal Interagency Committee on Noise (FICON) in 1992. NES results will be used to update the agency's understanding of noise effects since the FICON report. 
Neighborhood Environmental Survey Results. The NES describes the level of community annoyance based on the percentage of people who are 'highly annoyed' and discusses aircraft noise exposure in terms of the DNL noise metric. The following are highlights from results of the NES: 
- Increase in Annoyance Levels. Relative to 1992 report findings, FAA indicated that the NES results 'show a substantially higher percentage of people highly annoyed over the entire range of aircraft noise levels (i.e., from DNL 50 to 75 dB) at which the NES was conducted. This includes an increase in annoyance at lower noise levels.' FAA also noted that recent studies have shown that 'aircraft noise often results in higher levels of annoyance compared to the same level of noise from ground transportation sources.' 
- Comparison to 1992 Report Findings. FAA shared specific comparisons between the NES results and data from the 1992 study and report. As an example, at a noise exposure level of DNL 65 dB, the 1992 report indicated that 12.3% of people were 'highly annoyed,' compared to between 60.1 and 70.9% from the NES. At a noise exposure level of DNL 55 dB, the 1992 report indicated that 3.3% of people were 'highly annoyed,' compared to between 27.8% and 36.8% from the NES. 
- Potential Factors for Increase. FAA discussed potential factors that are contributing to the change in how communities may be responding to aircraft noise. These include changes to where people are choosing to live; increased in-home business and teleworking; increased awareness and perception of local and national noise issues; among other factors. FAA acknowledged that they need to conduct future research to understand specific drivers. 
Other Studies on the Effects of Aircraft Noise. FAA's notice included a summary of additional research that the agency is considering or already conducting to understand the effects of aircraft noise on individuals and communities. This research includes (a) the potential effects of aircraft noise on reading comprehension and learning motivation in children; (b) potential physiological impacts from noise exposure; (c) impacts on cardiovascular health; (d) quantifying the impact of noise exposure on sleep; and (e) an empirical assessment of the economic impacts to businesses located underneath aircraft flight paths. FAA indicated that the economic impact assessment is a follow on to the NES. 
What's Next? FAA is expected to publish the full NES report tomorrow morning. The agency will be considering the full NES results, in conjunction with additional research findings and stakeholder input, to determine how they may inform noise policy considerations. FAA specifically indicated that the agency will not update any of its noise policies until it has considered public and stakeholder input and any additional research that may be needed to improve FAA's understanding of effects of aircraft noise exposure on communities. 
FAA's 'Notice of Research Programs and Request for Comments' will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow, triggering a 60-day comment period that will end on March 15, 2021. AAAE will be working closely with airport members and its Environmental Services Committee to respond to the NES survey results and FAA's request for comments. 
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Justin Barkowski at justin.barkowski@aaae.org. 
