In detail… Non acoustic aspects of aircraft noise
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Noise pollution is one of the most negative aspects that the airline industry has to deal with due to the massive rejection that causes in population. Nevertheless, aircraft noise has been reduced by 75% in the last 40 years due to technological improvements in aircraft manufacturing.
The noise footprint is reducing considerably and the soundproofing of homes near the airport are measures that soften and improve the appreciation of citizens living in the vicinity of airports.
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However, there are a large number of non acoustic factors to which attention must be paid to in order to lower the impact caused by aircraft noise.
Until recently, researches were focused on the acoustic component of the discomfort (e.g. sound pressure level, decibels). However, lately – thanks to groups such as ANNA (Aircraft Noise Non Acoustic) – non-acoustic factors are of increasing importance among experts in aviation noise.
The Environmental Report 2007 published by ICAO said that public expectations and sensitivity to aircraft noise are key factors in understanding the nuisances. Research indicates that the same source of noise produces different inconveniences among different people (some are more sensitive to noise than others), and their levels of discomfort are also influenced by their attitude towards the airport and the noise source and by the value they place on aviation.
Doctor Jason Schwartz (environmental accountable of the Portland airport) states that an approach to noise management including both acoustic and non-acoustic aspects is necessary and that it is possible to develop specific measures to improve social perception. He states that non-acoustic factors are largely related to the way the exposed population perceives the airport, the industry and the regulators. Consequently, the fact that the public opinion feels excluded or not from a particular debate or from the participation in the decision-making processes affects the subsequent reaction of the people.