TagFAA Reauthorization(34)

This April 2020 FAA Report to Congress evaluates alternative noise metrics to the current Day-Night Level (DNL) 65 decibel standard used to measure community aircraft noise exposure, as required by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. The report reviews the history and definitions of various noise measurement tools, explains why no single metric can address all aviation noise situations, and examines the roles of both noise modeling and actual noise sampling. It was produced in response to congressional direction to assess whether better methods exist for capturing and addressing community concerns about airplane noise.

This white paper analyzes the noise-related provisions of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 302), which reauthorized the FAA through fiscal year 2023 and included 14 provisions directly or indirectly addressing aircraft noise. Key measures require the FAA to study alternative noise metrics to replace the Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) standard, update Noise Exposure Maps when operations change significantly, and consider dispersal headings for new flight procedures to reduce community noise impacts. Seattle is among the cities specifically identified for a health impacts study related to aviation noise, making these provisions particularly relevant to Sea-Tac Airport stakeholders.

The Port of Seattle's 2018 Federal Legislative Agenda outlines priorities for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, including securing federal funding for infrastructure, expanding TSA and customs screening capacity, and addressing the airport's impact on surrounding communities. On noise and environmental issues, the Port sought greater FAA authority to engage local communities on flight path changes and noise concerns, supported studies on ultrafine particulate emissions, and pledged to monitor any proposed changes to the 65 DNL noise mitigation standard. The agenda also emphasized promoting sustainable aviation fuels, protecting immigrant workers, and improving quality of life for residents near the airport.

The Port of Seattle's 2018 Federal Legislative Agenda outlines policy priorities for both aviation and maritime operations, including efforts to increase FAA accountability to communities near airports affected by noise and to confirm that airport-area public schools are eligible for FAA noise insulation grant funding. The agenda also calls for research into the relationship between aviation activity and ultrafine particulate emissions. Approved by the Port Commission in January 2018, the agenda directed staff to engage federal officials in support of these and other infrastructure, immigration, and trade priorities.