Published by Australian Academy of Science
Quiet please! Fighting noise pollution Box 3 | Planning to reduce airport noise

In March 2000, the Daily Telegraph reported that Sydenham, near Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport, experiences some of Australia’s worst noise pollution.  Recently, the noise from a Boeing 747 flying over the suburb was recorded at 106 decibels (dB), the equivalent of standing in front of a loud rock band.

Aircraft noise in Sydney is a major environmental concern, particularly since the opening of the third runway at Kingsford Smith.  To cope with the increased noise levels, soundproofing costing several millions of dollars has been installed in thousands of homes near the airport.

Three approaches to solving the problem of airport noise

Noise complaints from people living beneath flight paths have reached record levels, not just in Sydney but in cities across Australia.  Authorities have adopted a ‘three-legged stool’ approach to the problem.  The first leg is to ensure that aircraft emit the lowest possible noise levels, compatible with airline safety.  Aircraft such as the Boeing 727 and 757 are as much as 20 dB quieter than the Boeing 747 recorded over Sydenham.

The second leg is to impose controls on airport operations, such as restricting the number of arrivals and departures, imposing night curfews, and minimising flight paths over populated areas.  The third leg of the stool is to control urban development near existing airports and the site of future airports.  Homes, schools, hospitals, commercial and public buildings all need protection from excessive aircraft noise.

Australian Noise Exposure Forecast system

Urban planners use a scheme known as the Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) system to determine noise levels near airports.  The system does not rely on decibel levels alone, but draws up ‘noise contours’ around airports. The contours are based on additional factors such as the projected volume of flights and the time of day they occur.

Other boxes

Box 1. Health issues related to noise pollution

Box 2. What is noise?

Box 4. Traffic noise – sources and solutions

Box 5. Soundproofing noisy buildings