In January of this year, Columbia Metropolitan Airport, under the direction of the Richland-Lexington Airport Commission initiated work on a comprehensive airport noise study that quantifies aircraft noise levels in the community and examines the public's noise related concerns.

The project, known as the FAR Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study, intends to plot a course for responsible, community minded noise policies at the Airport as well as to help guide multi-jurisdictional land use planning in areas affected by aircraft operations.

"Airport noise is an important issue for the Airport to address," says Columbia Metropolitan Airport's Executive Director, Mike Flack.  "The continued success of both the Airport and the community is dependent on smart planning for growth."

The study, using Federal Aviation Administration approved methodologies, will estimate existing and future levels of aircraft noise exposure.  Projections will be made based on the types of aircraft and level of activity that the Airport can expect in the next twenty years.  After the noise level estimates are completed, the study will identify existing and future land uses near the Airport and recommend numerous methods to minimize noise intrusion on these uses.  Input from the public and local planning officials will help the Airport select which methods are most appropriate for the desires of surrounding communities.

A common theme throughout the study process will be intense public involvement. The Airport understands that without public participation, an effective airport noise program may prove fruitless.  As Mr. Flack points out, "a noise study such as this cannot be completed without taking into consideration the community issues outside our fence.  With public involvement and support, the Airport can and will become a better neighbor."

The noise study is expected to last about 12 to 18 months. Along the way, the public will be given ample opportunity to comment on the study process as well as convey any personal concerns they may have about airport noise.

• Project Kick-off Briefing to Airport District
• 3 Neighborhood Public Briefings and Workshops
• Inventory Existing Land Use and Airport Facilities
• Develop Background Data on Aircraft and Operations at CAE
• Monitor Noise
• Prepare Existing and Future Noise Exposure Maps
• Identify Noise Sensitive Land Use and Determine Noise Exposure Levels
• Public Open House and Workshop
• Identify and Evaluate Aircraft Operation-based Noise Abatement Alternatives
• Identify and Evaluate Land Use Management Alternatives
• Public Open House and Workshop
• Select Preferred Noise and Land Use Recommendations
• Define the Actions and Steps Needed to Implement the Plan
• Public Open House and Workshop
• Prepare the Final Noise Compatibility Program
• Public Workshop and Public Hearing
• Respond to Public Hearing Comments and Adopt Plan
• Submit to FAA for Approval and Acceptance

It is essential for the success of the noise study process to develop accurate background information about the Airport and the surrounding community. At the Airport, the study will provide answers to such questions as:

• What time of day aircraft operations occur?
• What type of aircraft use the Airport?
• What are the facilities that may contribute to noise?
• What are the air traffic control procedures currently in place?

Outside the Airport's borders, the study will look into the existing zoning and land use plans in place by various jurisdictions including Cayce, Springdale, South Congaree, Pine Ridge, West Columbia, and unincorporated areas of Lexington County.  Municipalities will be consulted to learn of future growth plans and where growth is occurring near the Airport.  Additionally, through intense public involvement, the study will collect citizen noise concerns as they relate to airport operations today.

Examples of the data to be collected as part of the noise study include:

• Airport Facilities
• Airspace / Air Traffic Control Procedures
• Aircraft Operational Procedures
• Aircraft Fleet
• Portable Noise Monitoring
• Radar Data
• Weather Information
• Runway Use Estimates
• Ground Run-up Activities
• Previous Airport Studies
• Citizen Noise Concerns
• Socioeconomic and Population Data
• Local Zoning Ordinances
• Land Use Plans
• Community Growth Activity
• Building Codes / Subdivision Regulations

A great deal of research about the impact of noise has been conducted, by both the federal government and private research groups, over the past 40 years.  These studies have focused on how individual persons respond to different levels and types of sound, and also how groups of persons, such as those found in residential neighborhoods react to different types and levels of sound.  How individual people react to a certain type and level of noise, for example aircraft, varies considerably from person to person.  It is common for one individual to find a particular source of noise highly annoying, while another person experiencing the identical noise will not be disturbed or annoyed.  Research has also found that a number of factors, such as time of day or emotional state often result in a person experiencing differing levels of annoyance or sensitivity to two identical noise events from an identical source of noise.

Because individuals respond very differently to a specific type or level of sound as well as reacting differently to the same sound at different times, some method of defining when a significant majority of persons would perceive themselves to be negatively affected by aircraft sound levels had to be developed.  Based on the research findings conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) a threshold of aircraft noise based on an annual average level at which a significant number of persons perceive themselves "impacted" by noise has been developed.  This level is known as the 65 day-night average sound level (DNL).  Sound levels at or above this threshold are defined as having negative impact to residential and certain other land uses and their occupants.  The FAA, along with other federal agencies has also developed a detailed process for calculating aircraft related noise and defining where the 65 DNL level occurs.  Using this process it is possible to define and map those areas, land uses and persons who, based on the most current federal criteria, are impacted by aircraft related noise.

Maps will be prepared and presented to the Airport District and the public based on existing and projected aircraft activity showing the level and location of aircraft noise around the Airport.  Often called "contour" maps, because they define a line around the airport of equal levels of aircraft-related noise exposure, these maps show where noise is experienced and at what levels.  These maps are developed using a sophisticated computer model that has been developed by the FAA over the past twenty years.  The model uses actual aircraft performance data along with years of data about the noise levels for each of the hundreds of aircraft and engine types in the model.  The model is constantly reviewed and updated as new aircraft begin service and is recognized worldwide as the best tool available for airport noise studies.  You will hear the project team members refer to the Integrated Noise Model or INM often during the noise study.  Based upon FAA criteria for "significant" noise impact, the Airport will work with the community to seek methods for reducing this impact that may be experienced by noise sensitive land uses such as neighborhoods, schools and churches.

In order to gain valuable input into the ongoing noise compatibility study, the project team members will begin setting up portable noise monitoring devices in strategic locations throughout the community to measure noise from aircraft operating from the Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

The major focus of this effort is to gauge aircraft noise levels of both arriving and departing aircraft at the Airport as well as any possible ground operations noise that may be occurring.

The results of this data collection effort will assist the Airport in determining the accuracy of computer modeling used for estimating average noise levels surrounding the Airport.

Site selection of noise monitors is based on proximity to the Airport, aircraft flight tracks and residential areas.  The sites will be monitored during times of activity at the Airport during both day and nighttime hours.  Some locations will be monitored continuously for 24-hour periods.  The monitoring activities will occur starting in May 2002.

The Noise Compatibility Study is being conducted by:

THE LPA GROUP INCORPORATED
in association with
Environmental Science Associates, Inc.
PJ Noble and Associates, Inc.

All questions or comments regarding this study should be directed to:

The community will have a number of opportunities to meet with the project team and discuss issues and provide their input.  These meetings will be in addition to the project updates that will be available on the Airport web page and the quarterly newsletters.  Additionally, we are providing a local contact person with the Airport who can be contacted.  Should they not be able answer a particular question you have, they will ensure you receive a call back from a member of the planning team who can.

Additional information can be obtained via the following:

Public Meetings: Periodically during the study, the Airport District will conduct open house public meetings to discuss issues, answer questions, and present draft sections of the noise study.  These meetings will be advertised in the State paper, in the newsletters and on the Airport website.  Information on the time and place of the meetings can also be obtained from Ms. Debbie Krauss at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport at 803-822-5028.  All are invited to attend and be involved.

Quarterly Newsletter:  At the public meetings that will kick off the project be sure to sign up to receive a quarterly newsletter.  These newsletters will provide progress reports about the study, present information relative to noise and land use issues and provide information relative to future meeting notices throughout the project.  To sign up, please contact Ms. Debbie Krauss at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport at 803-822-5028.