Noise measurement and protection

Among the complex environmental effects of airport operation, the problem of noise caused by aircraft is of particular significance, because it intrudes directly on the living conditions of many people who live near the airport. Although technical developments have brought many improvements, aviation is still associated with noise. It is therefore a priority of Flughafen Dresden GmbH to reduce the noise level in the vicinity of the airport. Our activities to minimise noise comprise the following main points: Measurement, Prevention, Passive sound-proofing.

Measurement

The measurement of noise caused by aviation in the environment of the airport is a legal requirement. It is particularly important to analyse the development of noise emissions through long-term measurements, and thereby to check the efficiency of measures which have been implemented to reduce noise.

The noise monitoring system at Dresden Airport consists of a central station in the administrative building of the airport, five stationary measuring points around the airport and mobile measuring equipment. The mobile measuring installation can be used at different points, which are selected in accordance with the requirements set by the Aircraft Noise Commission.

Prevention

By staggering the landing fees, depending on the noise produced by individual types of aircraft, Flughafen Dresden GmbH intends to motivate airlines to use quieter planes. A closer look at the landing charges reveals that airlines have to pay up to five times as much for aircraft of the loudest category as for aircraft of the quietest category (ICAO Annex 16, Chapter 3, bonus list). As a result of this policy, the proportion of those quieter planes, which are registered on the »bonus list« issued by the German Federal Ministry of Transport, rose to the current level of 98 % at Dresden Airport.

Passive sound-proofing

1. Voluntary support programme

As part of a voluntary support programme which ran from 1996 to 2002, financial support was provided for structural sound-proofing measures for the people in the vicinity of the airport. There was support for the replacement of ordinary windows with sound-proof windows in rooms used for living and sleeping and for the installation of sound-proof ventilation systems in bedrooms. Euro 2.8 million was granted altogether for this support programme. The living conditions for 1,550 inhabitants (640 households) in the neighbourhood of the airport were thus considerably improved.

2. Runway redevelopment and extension

An expert opinion on aircraft noise was furnished in the course of the runway redevelopment and extension project approval procedure. Based on an airport development forecast up to the year 2020, the noise exposure both as regards aircraft noise and noise caused by ground handling operations was anticipated. These findings were then evaluated in a medical expertise.

In its planning approval decision of 25 October 2005 the planning approval authority imposed certain noise protection requirements. Among other things, the decision read:

"At the request of the owner of a site located completely or partially within the noise protection zone which was developed or was suitable for development on 17 January 2005, Flughafen Dresden GmbH must perform the structural physical tests and calculations of the necessary sound-proofing measures and must provide appropriate sound-proofing in living rooms and bedrooms. The sound-proofing must guarantee that inbound and outbound flights do not cause individual sound levels in excess of 55 dB(A) inside these rooms both by day and at night with the windows closed. The sound-proofing must also guarantee that the overall level of airport-related noise (flight and ground noise) does not exceed a permanent level Leq(3) of 40 dB(A) in living rooms by day and 35 dB(A) in bedrooms at night. If the noise protection offered can only be achieved at night by keeping windows closed, Flughafen Dresden GmbH must, at the owner’s request, install ventilation in bedrooms and ensure that the difference in outdoor and indoor sound levels with windows closed is at least 25 dB(A).

The noise protection zone for both daytime and night-time protection encompasses the area in which an energy equivalent permanent sound level Leq(3) of at least 50 dB(A) is forecast during night hours (22:00 - 06:00) in the six busiest months (Annex 1, Noise Protection Zone). The ceiling is calculated taking all airport-generated noise into account.”

The application period expired on 31 August 2009, two years after the renovated runway was put into operation. Approximately 440 applications for noise protection concerning more than 1,900 homes in the airport area have been received and are currently being processed. For the first 40 applications, structural measures have already been put in place or it has been established that the existing structural measures are adequate.

3. Official noise map »Air traffic noise sound pressure level regions according to DIN 4109«

According to the Saxon building law, the client shall ensure adequate noise protection in newly constructed and reconstructed buildings. To enable to client to do so, the Dresden city council has defined zones on the city territory in which higher air traffic noise exposure must be anticipated. Based on the official noise map it can be determined whether or not a noise study must be conducted. As a result, the structural elements of the building shells can be dimensioned adequately also as regards their sound-proofing qualities.

The official noise map is published as an interactive map on the city's web site. Detailed explanations can be found in the Noise map explanations document (PDF, 28 kBytes, in German).