TagNoise(193)

This 1974 noise study, prepared by MAN-Acoustics and Noise, Inc. for the Port of Seattle and King County, examines aircraft noise impacts on communities surrounding Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It covers noise measurement methodologies, noise exposure calculations, effects of weather and aircraft location, maintenance runups, thrust reverser noise, and background noise levels. The report also evaluates potential noise control alternatives and flight operational changes aimed at reducing noise burdens on nearby residents.

Office of Noise Abatement and Control

Meeting minutes from the Near Term task force discussing zoning changes, tax relief, noise abatement and community survey. The group decided to support the Port of Seattle’s 90-day Interim Study for property acquisition in the extended clear zone and planned to contact U.S. Senators Magnuson and Jackson for funding assistance.

ROBIN M. TOWNE AND ASSOCIATESJ INC. (RMTA)J IN ASSOCIATION WITH MANACOUSTICS AND NOISEJ INC. (MAN)J BOTH FIRMS OF SEATTLEJ WASHINGTONJ HAVE BEEN RETAINED BY THE PORT OF SEATTLE AND KING COUNTY TO CONDUCT THE NOISE EXPOSURE PORTION OF THE SEA-TAC COMMUNITIES PLAN. THE PRIMARY DIVISION OF WORK CONSISTSJ IN GENERALJ OF ROBIN M. TOWNE AND

Engrossed House Bill No. 97, introduced in Washington State's 43rd Legislature in January 1973, establishes the right of property owners to seek compensation in inverse condemnation actions when their property value is diminished due to highway, aviation, or airport operations. Qualifying impacts include noise, vibrations, air pollution, water pollution, loss of view or scenery, and risk to life from nearby traffic. The bill also limits recovery to properties within one-quarter mile of a highway right-of-way or within one hundred yards of an airport facility, and requires actions to be filed within three years of the alleged taking or damaging.

A public opinion survey conducted by Battelle Memorial Institute in summer 1973 to assess the social impact of Sea-Tac Airport on surrounding communities. The survey included face-to-face interviews with 302 Highline area residents and 98 Shoreline residents, plus telephone interviews with 316 King County residents.

A 1972 University of Washington environmental health report examines the serious physical and psychological effects of aircraft noise on residents living near Seattle-Tacoma Airport. On-site measurements recorded up to 95 dBA indoors, with hundreds of daily flyovers exceeding 75 dBA—levels shown by research to disrupt sleep, impair children's school performance, and pose long-term mental and physical health risks. The report also highlights how excessive ambient noise in nearby schools interferes with speech comprehension and the learning process.

A June 1972 noise study conducted by Washington State's Department of Social and Health Services measured aircraft noise levels at twelve locations near homes and schools in Zone Three around Sea-Tac Airport. All recorded noise levels exceeded 80 dBA, with a peak of 107 dBA, caused by jet aircraft including the 707, 727, 737, 747, and DC-8 during landing approaches and takeoffs. The study was requested by citizens representing 2,184 residences in the zone and aimed to assess the health impact of low-flying aircraft noise on the surrounding community.

This 1971 technical report, prepared by Theodore J. Schultz of Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc. for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), provides the scientific and technical background for noise abatement measures in HUD's housing programs. It supports HUD's guidelines for assessing noise exposure at residential sites, offering detailed evaluation procedures for determining acceptable noise levels near housing developments. The report was originally published in September 1970 and later revised to align with updated HUD noise exposure assessment guidelines.