This 2009 research report examines how aircraft emissions affect local and regional air quality across the United States, including public health impacts near major airports. It analyzes baseline emissions inventories, the relationship between airport delays and increased fuel burn and pollution, and evaluates strategies such as continuous descent arrivals and schedule de-peaking to reduce emissions. The findings are intended to inform aviation environmental policy and air traffic efficiency improvements.

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This PARTNER Project 15 final report examines the impact of aircraft emissions on local and regional air quality and public health in the United States, including creation of a baseline emissions inventory and air quality modeling. The report also analyzes opportunities to reduce emissions through improved air traffic efficiency, including reducing airport delays, continuous descent arrivals, and schedule de-peaking.

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As the source for federal transportation grants, the Puget Sound Regional Council was charged with developing a system to meet the growing need for commercial aviation. When the search for a second airport failed, they authorized the Port of Seattle to build the Third Runway, with a mandate to develop a noise abatement and mitigation program. In their effort to stop the Third Runway, the ACC argued over every detail of the Port's efforts--including property buyouts and sound insulation. The dispute was meant to be settled by a three member Expert Arbitration Panel. This is their final report. It finds 2-1, that the Port's program was insufficient in several respects. Despite that, funding for the Third Runway was approved by the PSRC, and the 'Port Package' program, proceeded largely unchanged. Expert Arbitration Panel's final decision finding that the Port of Seattle had not shown sufficient reduction in real on-the-ground noise impacts to satisfy noise reduction conditions required for approval of a third runway at Sea-Tac International Airport. The majority decision concluded the Port's noise abatement programs were insufficient despite being impressive in scope.

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