The Focus On Noise Metrics In The Sustainable Planning Of Airport Environments: An Argentinian Case Study

Abstract

Successful airport noise management is based on the effective description and communication of aircraft noise exposure, which can be expressed through a number of noise metrics. The choice of metric is significant, given that noise maps are likely to be used by decision-makers as the main input for land-use planning of areas surrounding airports, and can also be used by the general public as a source of information of interest. The noise contours of Córdoba International Airport, in Argentina, were developed for a future operational scenario in accordance with two noise metrics: Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL or L_DN) and A-weighted Equivalent Continuous Sound Level (LA_eq). Exposure to aircraft noise in residential areas and educational establishments around the airport was analyzed through GIS. Results indicated that the population numbers exposed to DNL airport noise of 65 dBA in 2028 will be six times greater than the amount constituted by LAeq Day-Afternoon and Night metrics combined. At the same time, the number of educational establishments likely to be affected by DNL aircraft noise (55 dBA) in 2028 will be six times greater than LA_eq Day-Evening and Night combined. This demonstrates that the selection of noise metrics has important implications for noise exposure analysis and communication, which in turn could potentially impact airport noise management decisions, noise communication, and even land-use policies in areas surrounding airports.