Calculating DNL65

We’ve often made the claim that DNL65 is not really a unit of measure. And when we say that it comes off as both condescending and patronizing. Okeedokee… If you want to understand DNL65,  you should probably start by going to the regulations governing Airport Noise Compatibility and Planning aka Part 150. Got it? Great.

Congressional Quiet Skies Caucus Letter To FAA Administrator Steve Dickson re DNL65

Discussion:

Currently, FAA law has extremely complicated rules for establishing a noise boundary around airports. (A noise boundary is a geographic area inside which there is a certain acceptable noise level.) This is referred to as the DNL65. and it has several major flaws. The FAA Reauthorization Act Of 2018 attempted to address these flaws in several ways. This letter, from a caucus of Congressmen engaged on airport community issues complains to the Administrator that the spirit of the law is not being adhered to and demands that he make attempts to put his agency into compliance. The language is fairly technical, however there are a couple of basic points they raise: First, that the noise boundary be determined by actual noise measurements (currently the noise boundaries are 'modeled' and those calculations often do not reflect in any way the lived experience for residents.) Second, that the 'acceptable' noise level of sixty five decibels (hence DNL65) has been determined to be far too high to conform with current understandings of healthy living.

Currently, FAA law has extremely complicated rules for establishing a noise boundary around airports. (A noise boundary is a geographic area inside which there is ...

The Port Package Explainer

Over the past thirty years roughly 9,400 homes have received noise mitigation retro-fits from the Port Of Seattle known as ‘Port Packages’. Many people think of a Port Package as ‘windows’, but really they are a complete system, which often takes the form of sound-rated windows, doors and special insulation. All components must work together to

DNL65 For Dummies

There is an area around an airport where the FAA says the sound level measures at 65 decibels ‘DNL’ (Day Night Level). That area is referred to as the Noise Boundary or just ‘DNL65’ and all big airports have a noise boundary map. The one question we get most is “Is my house eligible for

Seattle Community Council Federation v. FAA 961 F.2d 929

961 F.2d 829 SEATTLE COMMUNITY COUNCIL FEDERATION, a Washington nonprofit corporation, Petitioner, v. FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION; Samuel Skinner, Respondents. No. 90-70253. United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. Argued and Submitted Jan. 8, 1991. Decided April 9, 1992. Peter J. Eglick and Henryk J. Hiller, Seattle, Washington, for petitioner. Peter R. Steenland, Jr., and J.