presented to: by: date: federal aviation administration air traffic environmental program gmu center...

Presented to:

By:

Date:

Federal AviationAdministrationAir Traffic

Environmental Program

GMU Center for Air Transportation Systems Research

Donna G. Warren, Environ. Spec., FAA/ATO

September 27, 2007

Air Traffic Environmental Program2Federal Aviation

AdministrationSeptember 27, 2007

ATO ENVIRONMENTALA Short Quiz

• What is NEPA?

• What is CEQ?

• What is 1050?

• Name FAA’s two major computerized noise models.

• What is NHPA/Section 106?

• What is ESA/Section 7?

• What is Part 150?

• What is DNL?



AIR TRAFFIC ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

• AT Environmental History & Mission

• AT Challenges

• FAA National Plans/Reports

• Noise Reduction and Noise Modeling



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



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 >65 dB – 1.5 dB increase (significant)– DNL 60-65 – 3 dB increase– DNL 45-60 – 5 dB increase

• Noise Integrated Routing System (NIRS)



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.



ATO ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND COORDINATION

Administrator

System Ops. & AIM

TechnicalOperations

Service Areas

Facilities

AEE Env. Law Commun. & Environ.

Environ.Programs

Environ.Specialists

Environ.Specialists

Facilities

AEP AGC ARP

System Operations

Environ.Specialists

Service Areas

ATO

System Support Grp.

Terminal/Enroute & Oceanic

Service Areas



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/environmental_issues/http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/aep/



AIRSPACE ACTIONS

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

National Airspace Redesign (NAR)



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



AIR TRAFFIC CHALLENGES• National Traffic

• National Airspace

• National Land Use

• AT Projects w/ Environmental



National Traffic



Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control



Land Use Map



AT Projects w/ Environmental• Chicago Terminal

Airspace Project• Potomac

Consolidated TRACON

• Phoenix (successfully defended in court)

• Boston Consolidated TRACON

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

Philadelphia



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



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/



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



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, we’re 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/Flight_Plan_2008_2012.pdf



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_offices/ato/publications/oep/



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/aviation_forecast_2007/



NOISE REDUCTION ANDNOISE MODELING

• Noise Reduction

• Airport Noise Models

• Air Traffic Noise Models

• Other Noise Models



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



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_offices/aep/models/



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



AIR TRAFFIC ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM – Conclusion

• AT Environmental History & Mission

• AT Challenges

• FAA National Plans/Reports

• Noise Reduction and Noise Modeling



For Further Information:

Federal Aviation AdministrationAir Traffic Organization

System Operations Service UnitOffice of System Operations & AIM

Environmental Programs Group Edie Parish, Acting Manager

[email protected]

Donna G. [email protected]

Tina [email protected]



EXTRA SLIDES



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.



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



NOISE METRICS - CUMULATIVE

• Scale is dBA

• Leq = Equivalent Sound Level

• DNL or Ldn = Day-Night Average Sound Level

• CNEL = Community Noise Equivalent Level (California)



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



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

• User’s Guide and Technical Manual• Limited Technical Support Provided

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/aep/models/inm_model/



INTEGRATED NOISE MODEL (INM) - cont.

• Usually used for a single airport • Used within the airport environment (<3,000’ 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



INM CONTOURS



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_offices/aep/models/aem_model/



AEM EXAMPLE



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 (>3,000 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_offices/aep/models/nirs_nst/



NIRS SCORING METHODOLOGYEACH POPULATION CENTROID HAS TWO DNL EXPOSURE VALUESFOR: (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

< 45 dB

45 - < 50 dB

50 - < 55 dB

55 - < 60 dB

60 - < 65 dB

> 65 dB

EECP EIS, Air TrafficScreening Criteria,

FICON

FAA Order1050.1Eand FICON

SCENARIOS ARE COMPARED IN TERMS OF POPULATIONRECEIVING INCREASES OR DECREASES IN EACH EXPOSURE BAND.

5 dB

5 dB

5 dB

3 dB

1.5 dB



NIRS IMPACT MAP



NIRS IMPACT CRITERIA



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_offices/aep/models/nirs_nst/



NST IMPACT MAP



NST IMPACT CRITERIA

DNL Noise Baseline Exposure Compared to Alternative Exposure

65 dB or higher 60 to 65 dB 45 to 60 dBMinimum Change in DNL

With Alternative 1.5 dB 3.0 dB 5.0 dBLevel of Impact Significant Slight to Moderate Slight to Moderate

Noise Increases

Noise Decreases



NST RESULTS REPORT



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)



AIRSPACE ACTIONS

• Types of Actions

• Guidance

• Responsibilities

• Documentation



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



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)



SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE

• FAA Guidance

• Responsibilities

• FAA Documentation




• 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




• 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)



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)

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