Category : Meetings(440)

This October 2020 presentation by Vincent Mestre, P.E. provides background information on airport noise monitoring systems for the StART (Sea-Tac Airport Roundtable) group, covering the history of such systems dating back to the late 1960s and early 1970s, including Seattle's own monitoring history. It outlines the international standards that guide best practices, such as IEC and ISO guidelines, and explains the core goals of noise monitoring: tracking aircraft-generated noise levels, comparing them against policy guidelines, and using the data to justify mitigation measures that minimize the impact on nearby communities.

This document summarizes a August 26, 2020 virtual meeting of the StART (SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table), a group representing communities, airlines, and the Port of Seattle around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Key topics included strategies for improving community engagement such as quarterly videos and social media outreach, an update on the Federal Policy Working Group's advocacy priorities including noise insulation funding and supersonic aircraft noise standards, and a report from the Aviation Noise Working Group noting a rise in late-night cargo flights exceeding noise thresholds due to increased e-commerce activity during COVID-19.

The June 24, 2020 StART (SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table) meeting covered updates on airport and airline operations during COVID-19, the status of federal aviation legislation being developed by Representative Adam Smith, and a recap of the Aviation Noise Working Group's progress on issues such as late-night noise limits, runway use, and glide slope adjustments. Several noise-related projects, including ground noise analysis and A320 aircraft whistling noise retrofits, were put on hold due to the pandemic's impact on flight patterns and airline operations. The Port of Seattle also introduced a new monthly noise reporting system, PlaneNoise, to track and share aviation noise complaint data with surrounding communities.

The SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) met on June 24, 2020, via video conference to discuss the Port of Seattle's Economic Recovery Framework, which outlines investments in areas such as youth employment, small business assistance, and community partnerships in the neighborhoods surrounding Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Airport and airline representatives provided updates on COVID-19 safety measures and the gradual rebound in air travel, while a federal policy working group noted limited legislative opportunities for the remainder of 2020. The meeting also included a recap of the Aviation Noise Working Group's near-term action agenda, with the next public meeting scheduled for August 26, 2020.

This May 2020 update from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport outlines the status of its noise abatement and mitigation programs. Citizen noise complaints were averaging 400 per day, while the Noise Abatement Corridor saw 98% compliance and the Late Night Noise Limitation Program recorded an average of 11 exceedances per night in Q1 2020. COVID-19 delayed sound insulation construction projects for single-family homes and condominiums, pushing estimated start dates into 2021.

This document summarizes a May 11, 2020 virtual meeting of the StART Aviation Noise Working Group, which oversees efforts to reduce aircraft noise around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Key updates included a significant drop in nighttime flight operations due to COVID-19, continued progress on the Runway Use Plan limiting third-runway landings between midnight and 5 a.m., and the temporary pause of several noise studies due to pandemic-related constraints. The group also reviewed ongoing initiatives such as the A320 aircraft whistle-noise retrofit effort, a glide slope adjustment project for Runway 34R, and a new monthly public reporting system called PlaneNoise.

This April 2020 meeting summary from the SEA Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART) covers discussions about the impact of COVID-19 on Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and neighboring cities including SeaTac, Tukwila, and Normandy Park. Airport Managing Director Lance Lyttle reported a 90-95% drop in travelers, hundreds of canceled flights, and a $195 million federal relief grant, while city representatives described significant revenue losses and emergency community support measures. Representatives from Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines also shared that their operations were down 70-80%, with federal funds being used to sustain employee salaries through September.