The Significance Of The Problem Of Noise Pollution

I. Summary

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a major west coast airport serving nearly 41 million passengers annually (Airport Intel, n.d.). SFO accommodates 43 different airlines and offers 74 cities within the U.S. on non-stop flights (Airport Intel, n.d.). With such a high volume of inbound and outbound air traffic, and the FAA’s role out of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) program in 2015 (Martichoux, 2017) created increased levels of aircraft noise, a problem that has tormented some Bay Area residents, especially along the Peninsula, for years (Martichoux, 2017).

Due to public outcry, SFO implemented the Fly Quiet Program (SFO, n.d.) to reduce aircraft noise over residential neighborhoods.

II. Problem

The problem is the unfortunate result of technological advancements. Before March 2015, SFO direct departing west and southbound flights out over the ocean, minimizing air time over residential areas (Moffitt, 2015). In 2015, SFO and the FAA implemented NextGen upgrades aimed at improving air traffic management through satellite-based navigation (Santos, 2015). While NextGen improvements in air-traffic volume benefit the airline industry, it comes with a cost.

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Airplane noise complaints rose tenfold to 146,442 complaints spanning from March through August of 2015, compared to 14,726 in all of 2014 (Moffitt, 2015).

III. Significance of the Problem

The significance of the problem stems from the uncalculated noise pollution the NextGen system has caused residential neighborhoods. “It’s basically a freeway in the sky,” says Ivar Satero, San Francisco International Airport’s director (Mojadad, 2018). A meeting with the Transportation Committee and Airport Commission, cited more than 200 flights over a single home in one day (Mojadad, 2018).

Furthermore, the noise disruption is such a systemic problem, three California congress members have called for action by the FAA (Greenway, 2017).

IV. Development of Alternative Actions

Alternative Action 1. Reexamine the Noise Insulation Program (NIP) to assist surrounding neighborhoods to reduce complaints.

Advantages. SFO has been in longstanding cooperation with neighborhoods and the community surrounding the airport since the early 1980s with 15,200 homes treated with expenses of more than $192 million (SFO, n.d.). Additionally, airport supervisors and community roundtables continue noise insulation discussions encouraging airport commission and SFO officials to participate (Sabatini, 2018).

Disadvantages. Residents who did not elect to participate in the initial Noise Insulation Program (NIP), or need repairs or replacement from previous installs, must meet certain criteria set forth by SFO/FAA to receive funding (SFO, n.d.).

Alternative Action 2: Petition the FAA to restructure NextGen determined aircraft corridors and continue the Fly Quiet Program.

Advantages. Collaboration between residents, airport officials, government, and FAA allow positive engagement to reduce noise and modify arrival/departure (Town Crier Staff, 2017). Flexing the Fly Quiet Program could influence airlines to operate as quietly as possible in the San Francisco Bay Area (SFO, n.d.).

Disadvantages. FAA must be allotted time to evaluate the public data and recommendations impacting neighborhoods in and around SFO (Moffitt, 2015). Furthermore, Fly Quit Program is a complex, six-step program that needs to be monitored and adjusted continuously to meet noise reduction goals (SFO, n.d.).

V. Recommendation

With such a complex and evolving situation in San Francisco, a single recommendation is difficult to determine. Technological advancements in aviation improve our daily lives and increase productivity. However, advancements sometimes come with a cost. In this case, unrelenting noise and agitation. When looking at the severity of the problem, I recommend collaboration between residents, SFO representatives, local/state government, and FAA officials to address public concerns. Additionally, continued domestic and international partnership utilizing Fly Quit Program policies will provide advancements in noise abatement. Together, these productive measures will continue to mitigate aircraft noise levels over residential neighborhoods near SFO.