Noise Abatement Strategies: The Critical Questions

1
Noise Abatement StrategiesThe Critical Questions

• Which runway use provides the most noise
  reduction north of the airport?
• east preference (current)
• west preference
• no preference
• day/night split
• Which runway use provides the most noise
  reduction south of the airport?
• mixed divergence off west runway (current)
• all diverge
• no divergence (except simultaneous ops)
• resolve Fort Knox restricted area issue
• How can we minimize exceptions to contraflow
  operations, thus minimize sleep disturbance?
• options
• operations affected/cost
• benefits
• How can we improve the consistency and
  predictability of runway use direction?
• education/knowledge base
• too hard for model

2
Noise Abatement StrategiesThe Critical Questions

• Which turning rules give the best results?
• noise exposure
• consistency/predictability
• alone/with standard prescribed tracks
• What prescribed tracks give the best noise
  reduction, while remaining operationally sound?
• for arrivals
• for departures
• with/without exceptions for visual
• handoff/gateway points
• What navigation aids or standards can be applied
  to minimize deviation from prescribed tracks?
• required navigational performance (RNP)
• specific hardware/procedures
• for emerging technology, knowledge base
• What other operational procedures can be added to
  reduce noise exposure?
• costs
• benefits
• What other facilities, use restrictions,
  regulations, and management measures can be
  applied to enhance the program?

3
Noise Abatement StrategiesBear Traps

• Imprecision
• daytime contraflow
• I-65 corridor
• straight-out departure track
• Premature Closure
• advanced technology
• contraflow exceptions
• runway use criteria
• net assessment
• Terminology
• preference/preferential use
• peak/non-peak
• voluntary measure
• Meaningful progress depends on our ability to
  avoid these traps. If we dont, we get stuck.

4
Noise Abatement StrategiesImperatives

• Precise definition of each strategy
• measures included
• measures excluded
• rationale
• follow-up documentation
• Close - intimate - communication on analysis
• Study Group checks inputs
• emerging insights relayed right away
• anomalies identified for further study
• course corrections when appropriate
• Open-ended review of results
• think before packaging
• challenge assumptions, conclusions
• ongoing feedback
• Results of this phase crucial to study results.
  Oops no longer affordable.

5
Noise Abatement Strategiesrecommended to the
Study Group

• Common elements
• minimize contraflow exceptions
• noise-optimal prescribed tracks (STARs, SIDs)
  with minimal exceptions
• RNP or hardware specs to minimize deviation
• operational measures (potential excursions)
• facilities, use restrictions, regulations,
  management measures
• document knowledge of emerging measures
• Principal alternatives
• Limit east runway preference to daytime only
  southbound divergence according to destination
• Eliminate runway preference all southbound
  diverge on 17R
• Reverse runway preference no divergence on 17R,
  except simultaneous operations
• Key conditions
• Ft Knox issue resolved favorably
• Results for each major lobe of noise contours