Air Traffic Environmental Program

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Air Traffic Environmental Program
GMU Center for Air Transportation Systems Research
Donna G. Warren, Environ. Spec., FAA/ATO
September 27, 2007
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ATO ENVIRONMENTALA Short Quiz

• What is NEPA?
• What is CEQ?
• What is 1050?
• Name FAAs two major computerized noise models.
• What is NHPA/Section 106?
• What is ESA/Section 7?
• What is Part 150?
• What is DNL?

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AIR TRAFFIC ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

• AT Environmental History Mission
• AT Challenges
• FAA National Plans/Reports
• Noise Reduction and Noise Modeling

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AIR TRAFFIC ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY and MISSION

• Expanded East Coast Plan (EECP)
• Environmental Programs Group
• ATO Environmental Responsibility and Coordination
• Environmental Policies and Guidance
• Airspace Actions
• Special Use Airspace Actions

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Expanded East Coast Plan (EECP)

• The Beginning
• Air Traffic Operations above 3,000 ft. AGL are
  CATEXed
• Extraordinary Circumstances Potential for
  Controversy
• Air Traffic Noise Screening Model (ATNS)
• DNL gt65 dB 1.5 dB increase (significant)
• DNL 60-65 3 dB increase
• DNL 45-60 5 dB increase
• Noise Integrated Routing System (NIRS)

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Environmental Programs Group
The Environmental Programs office is the
principal element responsible for all
environmental matters as they relate to System
Operations for the ATO. This program develops
environmental policy and standards for System
Operations and provides technical advice to the
ATO, FAA headquarters, service areas, and field
offices. It also represents System Operations at
meetings and conferences on environmental
activities that affect air traffic operations and
the NAS.
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ATO ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND COORDINATION
Administrator
AEP
AGC
ARP
ATO
Commun. Environ.
AEE
Env. Law
System Operations
Technical Operations
Terminal/ Enroute Oceanic
System Ops. AIM
Environ. Specialists
Service Areas
Service Areas
Service Areas
System Support Grp.
Environ. Specialists
Environ. Programs
Environ. Specialists
Facilities
Facilities
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ENVIRON. POLICIES AND GUIDANCE

• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
• 40 CFR parts 1500-1508, CEQ Regulations
  Implementing NEPA
• DOT Order 5610.1C, Procedures for Considering
  Environmental Impacts
• FAA Order 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts
  Policies and Procedures
• FAA Order 7400.2F, Procedures for Handling
  Airspace Matters (particularly Chapter 32)
• FAA Order 7400.8D, Special Use Airspace
• Airspace Management Handbook, Version 2.1, May
  2004 (see App. A and B)
• Federal Register, Vol. 65, No. 235, Wednesday,
  December 6, 2000, Notices, p. 76339, Air Traffic
  Noise Screen.
• Federal Aviation Administration. January 17,
  2001. ATA-1 Memorandum, Change in Air Traffic
  Noise Screen Policy.
• Federal Aviation Administration. September 15,
  2003. ATA-300 Memorandum, Altitude Cut-Off for
  National Airspace Redesign (NAR) Environmental
  Analyses.
• FAA Advisory Circular 91-36D, September 17, 2004,
  Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flight Near Noise
  Sensitive Areas
• Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 145, Monday, July
  30, 2007, Notices, pp. 41565-41580, Federal
  Presumed To Conform (PTC) Actions Under General
  Conformity (see Section III.14, page 41578)
• Federal Interagency Committee on Noise (FICON)
  Report
• 14 CFR part 150, Airport Noise Compatibility
  Planning
• FAA Order 5050.4B, National Environmental Policy
  Act (NEPA) Implementing Instructions for Airport
  Actions
• http//www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/environment
  al_issues/
• http//www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_o
  ffices/aep/

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AIRSPACE ACTIONS

• Types of Actions
• Class Changes
• Procedure Changes (RNP/RNAV, CDA, etc.)
• Jet Routes
• Airspace Management Program (AMP)/ National
  Airspace Redesign (NAR)

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SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE ACTIONS

• Types of Actions
• Prohibited Areas
• Restricted Areas
• Military Operations Areas/Temporary MOAs
• Warning Areas
• Alert Areas
• Controlled Firing Areas
• National Security Areas

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AIR TRAFFIC CHALLENGES

• National Traffic
• National Airspace
• National Land Use
• AT Projects w/ Environmental

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National Traffic
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Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control
14
Land Use Map
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AT Projects w/ Environmental

• Cincinnati
• Cleveland-Detroit
• St. Louis
• Minneapolis
• Las Vegas
• New York/New Jersey/ Philadelphia

• Chicago Terminal Airspace Project
• Potomac Consolidated TRACON
• Phoenix (successfully defended in court)
• Boston Consolidated TRACON

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FAA NATIONAL PLANS/REPORTS

• Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO)
  NEXTGEN/NGATS
• PARTNER COE (Report to Congress on Aviation and
  Environment)
• 2008-2012 FAA Flight Plan
• Operational Evolution Plan (OEP)
• Aviation Forecast

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JOINT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE (JPDO)

• Next Generation Air Transportation System
  (NEXTGEN/NGATS)
• Environmental Working Group (EWG)
• Concept of Operations (Conops)
• Integrated Work Plan
• http//www.jpdo.gov/

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PARTNERSHIP for AiR and TRANSPORTATION NOISE and
EMISSIONS RESEARCH (PARTNER) CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
(COE)

• Report to Congress on
• Aviation and Environment
• A National Vision for
• Aviation and the Environment
• In 2025, community noise and local air
  quality emissions from aviation that
  significantly impact human health and welfare
  will be reduced in absolute terms,
  notwithstanding the anticipated growth in air
  traffic.
• http//web.mit.edu/aeroastro/partner/index.html

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2008 2012 FLIGHT PLAN

• We are also testing a prototype Continuous
  Descent Arrival (CDA) at Atlanta Hartsfield
  Airport, which projects immediate savings in fuel
  while also decreasing noise.
• In short, with NextGen, were boosting capacity,
  increasing safety, and diminishing our impact on
  the environment while doing so. Aviation accounts
  for less than three percent of greenhouse gases.
  In conjunction with plans for alternative,
  cleaner burning fuels, new procedures and
  technology are lowering the harmful emissions
  that are already the lowest of any mode of
  transportation.
• http//www.faa.gov/about/plans_reports/media/Fligh
  t_Plan_2008_2012.pdf

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OPERATIONAL EVOLUTION PARTNERSHIP (OEP)

• This Operational Evolution Partnership will be
  the mechanism by which we inform our owners,
  customers, and aviation community of our plans
  and progress towards the NextGen vision --
  Marion C. Blakey, FAA Administrator,
• before the Senate aviation subcommittee,
• May 2006
• http//www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_o
  ffices/ato/publications/oep/

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2007 AVIATION FORECAST CONFERENCE

• Ian A. Waitz, Professor, Department of
  Aeronautical and Astronautics, MIT
• Environment may be the dominant constraint on
  growth of the US air transportation system
• Twin negatives
• Environmental impacts on people and ecosystems
• Economic impacts on people through constraining
  mobility and increasing costs
• Lynne Pickard, Deputy Director, Office of
  Environment and Energy, FAA
• Environmental Provisions in NextGen Financing
  Reform Act of 2007Federal Primary Focus
• Quieter, cleaner, more energy efficient
• Bring new technologies, operational innovations,
  and other capabilities on line to reduce aviation
  environmental impacts.
• http//www.faa.gov/news/conferences_events/aviatio
  n_forecast_2007/

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NOISE REDUCTION ANDNOISE MODELING

• Noise Reduction
• Airport Noise Models
• Air Traffic Noise Models
• Other Noise Models

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NOISE REDUCTION

• Operational Procedures
• Noise abatement departure procedures
• Optimized Approach Procedures
• Continuous Descent Approach (CDA)
• Source Noise
• Hush Kits
• Stage 3, Stage 4, and beyond
• Airport Access Restrictions
• Curfews

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FAA NOISE MODELS

• Airport Models
• INM - Integrated Noise Model
• AEM - Area Equivalent Method
• Air Traffic Models
• NIRS - Noise Integrated Routing System
• NST - NIRS Screening Tool
• http//www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_o
  ffices/aep/models/

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OTHER NOISE MODELS

• HNM - Heliport Noise Model (incorporated into INM
  7.0)
• AEDT Aviation Environmental Design Tool
  (currently under development)
• USAF
• NOISEMAP
• ROUTEMAP
• TARGETS w/ Noise Screen Capability

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AIR TRAFFIC ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM Conclusion

• AT Environmental History Mission
• AT Challenges
• FAA National Plans/Reports
• Noise Reduction and Noise Modeling

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• For Further Information
• Federal Aviation Administration
• Air Traffic OrganizationSystem Operations
  Service UnitOffice of System Operations
  AIMEnvironmental Programs Group
• Edie Parish, Acting Manager
• 202-267-9239
• Edith.Parish_at_faa.gov

Tina Gatewood 202-267-7685 Tina.Gatewood_at_faa.gov
Donna G. Warren 202-267-9183 Donna.Warren_at_faa.gov
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EXTRA SLIDES
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NOISE - A FEW FACTS

• Defined as Unwanted Sound.
• The basic unit of measurement of sound is the
  decibel (dB). Usually measured on the A scale,
  which approximates human hearing (dBA).
• Measured on a logarithmic scale.
• (80 dB 100 dB 100 dB)
• (100 dB 100 dB 103 dB).
• Most day-to-day sounds are between 30 and 100 dB.
• Most people perceive 6-10 dB as a doubling of
  loudness.
• Normal conversation at 3 feet is about 65 dB.

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NOISE METRICS - SINGLE EVENT

• Scale is dBA
• SEL or SENEL Sound Exposure Level or Single
  Event Noise Exposure Level
• Lmax Maximum A-Weighted Sound Level

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NOISE METRICS - CUMULATIVE

• Scale is dBA
• Leq Equivalent Sound Level
• DNL or Ldn Day-Night Average Sound Level
• CNEL Community Noise Equivalent Level
  (California)

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NOISE METRICS - OTHERS

• TA Time above a specified level
• LeqT Equivalent Sound Level for a specified
  duration
• TA Percent of time above a specified level
• EPNL Effective Perceived Noise Level
• C-Weighted Sound Level
• DDOSE Change in noise exposure associated with
  aircraft operations
• TAUD Time Audible Amount of time an aircraft
  is audible

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INTEGRATED NOISE MODEL (INM)

• Model Specified in FAR Part 150 and FAA Order
  1050
• Lead Technology for Other Models
• Wide Distribution
• Over 650 Organizations 300 Internationally
• Available in Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP, or NT 4.0
  operating system
• Users Guide and Technical Manual
• Limited Technical Support Provided
• http//www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_o
  ffices/aep/models/inm_model/

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INTEGRATED NOISE MODEL (INM) - cont.

• Usually used for a single airport
• Used within the airport environment (lt3,000 AGL)
• Over 200 aircraft in database
• Average annual day configuration
• Used to determine significant impacts
• Increase in number of people above 65 DNL
• 1.5 dB changes above 65 DNL
• Produces noise contours
• Current and Last Version 7.0
• Commercial Training Courses Available

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INM CONTOURS
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AREA EQUIVALENT METHOD(AEM)

• Screening Tool - Excel Spreadsheet
• Based on INM methodology
• Used for changes in aircraft type and number of
  operations
• Produces change in contour area
• 17 or more change in contour area is equivalent
  to a 3dB increase in noise and may signal impact
  in noise sensitive area.
• Current Version 6.0c
• http//www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_o
  ffices/aep/models/aem_model/

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AEM EXAMPLE
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NOISE INTEGRATED ROUTING SYSTEM (NIRS)

• Uses INM aircraft database computation modules
• Used for large regional airspace changes
  involving multiple airports
• Handles multiple airspace design configurations
  and alternatives
• For changes at high altitude (gt3,000 feet)
• Analyzes change in noise exposure at population
  points
• Used for CTAP, Potomac, NY/NJ/PHL
• Current Version 6.1
• http//www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_o
  ffices/aep/models/nirs_nst/

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NIRS SCORING METHODOLOGY
EACH POPULATION CENTROID HAS TWO DNL EXPOSURE
VALUES FOR (1) BASELINE SCENARIO, (2)
ALTERNATIVE SCENARIO N.
CRITERIA TO DETERMINE MINIMUM THRESHOLD OF DNL
CHANGE (RELATIVE TO BASELINE DNL)
Baseline DNL
Change in Exposure (Minimum)
References
lt 45 dB 45 - lt 50 dB 50 - lt 55 dB 55 - lt 60
dB 60 - lt 65 dB gt 65 dB
? 5 dB
EECP EIS, Air Traffic Screening
Criteria, FICON FAA Order1050.1E and FICON
? 5 dB
? 5 dB
? 3 dB
? 1.5 dB
SCENARIOS ARE COMPARED IN TERMS OF
POPULATION RECEIVING INCREASES OR DECREASES IN
EACH EXPOSURE BAND.
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NIRS IMPACT MAP
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NIRS IMPACT CRITERIA
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NIRS SCREENING TOOL(NST)

• Screening Tool
• Replaced the Air Traffic Noise Screening Model
  (ATNS)
• Based on NIRS methodology
• Used for small number of route change between
  3,000 and 10,000 feet AGL
• For changes involving
• Aircraft route
• Aircraft altitude
• Aircraft mix
• Number of operations
• Time of day
• Operational procedures
• Current Version 6.1
• http//www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_o
  ffices/aep/models/nirs_nst/

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NST IMPACT MAP
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NST IMPACT CRITERIA
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NST RESULTS REPORT
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ATO-SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND GUIDANCE

• FAA Order 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts
  Policies and Procedures (particularly Chapter 3
  and Appendix A)
• FAA Order 7400.2F, Procedures for Handling
  Airspace Matters (particularly Chapter 32 and
  Appendices 1-10)
• FAA Order 7400.8D, Special Use Airspace
• Airspace Management Handbook, Ver. 2.1, May 2004
  (see App. A B)
• Federal Register, Vol. 65, No. 235, Wednesday,
  December 6, 2000, Notices, p. 76339, Air Traffic
  Noise Screen.
• Federal Aviation Administration. January 17,
  2001. ATA-1 Memorandum, Change in Air Traffic
  Noise Screen Policy.
• Federal Aviation Administration. September 15,
  2003. ATA-300 Memo, Altitude Cut-Off for
  National Airspace Redesign (NAR) Environmental
  Analyses.
• FAA Advisory Circular 91-36D, September 17, 2004,
  Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Flight Near Noise
  Sensitive Areas
• Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 145, Monday, July
  30, 2007, Notices, pp. 41565-41580, Federal
  Presumed To Conform (PTC) Actions Under General
  Conformity (see Section III.14, page 41578)

50
AIRSPACE ACTIONS

• Types of Actions
• Guidance
• Responsibilities
• Documentation

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AIRSPACE ACTIONS

• Guidance
• 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts Policies and
  Procedures
• Paragraph 311 Categorical Exclusions for
  Procedural Actions
• Chapter 4 Environmental Assessments and
  Findings of No Significant Impact
• Chapter 5 Environmental Impact Statements and
  Records of Decision
• 7400.2F, Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters
• Chapter 32, Environmental Matters
• Appendix 1, Environmental Study Process Flow
  Chart
• Appendix 5, Initial Environmental Review
  (Checklist)
• Appendix 6, Sample CATEX Declaration
• Airspace Management Handbook, Version 2.1, May
  2004
• Section 2.3.4, Initiate Preliminary Environmental
  Review
• Section 2.4.6, Conduct Environmental Study in
  Parallel
• Section 3.3.10, Environmental Impact Metrics
• Appendix A, Environmental Analysis
• Appendix B, NAR Initial Environmental Checklist

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AIRSPACE ACTIONS

• Responsibilities
• Headquarters
• Service Area
• Documentation
• Memo to the File (VERY RARE)
• ATO/AGC decision regarding usage is pending
• CATEX Declaration
• EA/FONSI or EA and FONSI-ROD
• EIS/ROD
• (Note FAA may prepare EAs and EISs, with or
  without contractor assistance, or adopt them, in
  whole or in part, from another Federal government
  agency)

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SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

• FAA Guidance
• Responsibilities
• FAA Documentation

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SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

• FAA Guidance
• 7400.2F, Procedures for Handling Airspace
  Matters (February 16, 2006, as amended)
• Chapter 32, Environmental Matters, Section
  32-2-3 Special Use Airspace (SUA)
• Appendix 2, SUA environmental process flow chart
• Appendix 3, SUA aeronautical process flow chart
• Appendix 4, SUA aeronautical and environmental
  processing summary table
• Appendix 7, FAA/DOD Memorandum of Understanding
  (October 4, 2005)
• Appendix 8, SUA environmental processing
  procedures

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SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

• FAA Guidance (Cont.)
• 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts Policies and
  Procedures (June 8, 2004, as amended)
• Paragraph 311 Categorical Exclusions for
  Procedural Actions
• Chapter 4 Environmental Assessments and
  Findings of No Significant Impact
• Chapter 5 Environmental Impact Statements and
  Records of Decision
• Appendix A, Section 14 Noise, Page A-60,
  Paragraph 14.2b - noise modeling tools for use by
  Department of Defense (DOD)

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SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

• Responsibilities
• Requesting Federal Agency responsible for
  preparation of NEPA Documentation
• FAA retains responsibility under NEPA to ensure
  that adequate environmental documentation
  (prepared or adopted by FAA) supports SUA actions
  it implements.
• FAA Documentation
• Memo to the File (VERY RARE)
• ATO/AGC decision regarding usage is pending
• CATEX or CATEX-ROD
• Adoption
• EA-FONSI or EA and FONSI-ROD
• EIS-ROD
• (Note FAA may prepare EAs and EISs, with or
  without contractor assistance, or adopt them, in
  whole or in part, from another Federal government
  agency)