TagSurvey(15)

The FAA conducted a large-scale Neighborhood Environmental Survey (NES) of 10,000 people near 20 U.S. airports to measure how aircraft noise affects community annoyance, finding that significantly more people are bothered by noise than older studies suggested — about 66% of respondents were highly annoyed at 65 decibels (DNL) and 20% at 50 decibels. The agency uses the Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) metric to measure noise exposure and is reviewing whether its longstanding 65 DNL threshold for 'significant' noise impact should be updated. The FAA is seeking public comment on these research findings before making any changes to official noise policy.

The PSRC Aviation Baseline Study surveyed 1,416 residents and gathered public input through interviews, virtual meetings, and an online open house to understand regional priorities around aviation. Across all input methods, participants consistently favored spreading air service across multiple regional airports rather than expanding Sea-Tac or building a new airport. While randomly selected survey and interview participants emphasized economic benefits and meeting aviation demand, self-selected open house participants were more focused on noise and environmental impacts from aviation.

This 1974 study, commissioned by the Port of Seattle and King County, examines the social impact of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on surrounding neighborhoods. Researchers surveyed residents in high, medium, and low noise zones near Sea-Tac — then the 15th largest airport in the U.S., handling 5.3 million passengers and 375 flights per day in 1973 — and compared their responses with those of residents in comparable areas unaffected by airport noise. The findings were intended to inform the Sea-Tac International Airport Vicinity Master Plan and address community concerns about noise, drainage, and environmental quality.

A 1973 public opinion survey commissioned by the Port of Seattle and King County found that nearly one in five Highline-area residents considered airplane noise from Sea-Tac Airport their community's single most serious problem, with concern rising sharply among those living in the highest-noise zones. Highline residents were more likely to want to move than those in quieter comparison areas, though the survey also found that the Port of Seattle was viewed favorably by a strong majority across all groups surveyed.