Pipe Up About Piping Down

As part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s ongoing commitment to address the issue of aircraft noise and its impact upon community and individual well-being, the agency is soliciting public comment pertaining to its Noise Policy Review (NPR).

On 28 April 2023, the FAA published a Federal Register Notice (FRN) for purpose of garnering comments germane to the proposed revision and broadening of its noise and noise abatement regulations and protocols. What’s more, the agency will hold virtual webinars to facilitate better understanding of its objectives vis-à-vis evolving noise policies.

The NPR will focus primarily on the following key items—possibly more pending input received from the public and stakeholders.

• The FAA’s current utilization of Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) as the primary metric by which to assess cumulative aircraft noise exposure.
• If and how alternative metrics may be utilized in lieu of or in addition to DNL to better inform agency decisions pertaining to noise impacts and improve disclosure thereof.
• Communities’ understanding of noise impacts and how the agency may better manage and respond to communities’ aviation noise concerns.
• Means by which to improve communications pertaining to proposed noise-related agency actions.

The findings from ongoing noise research, including the Neighborhood Environmental Survey and other research relevant to health impacts, speech interference, sleep disturbance, and economic impacts.

The FRN comment period spans 01 May through 31 July 2023. 

FMI: www.faa.gov, https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-09113.pdf, https://www.faa.gov/noisepolicyreview