Evolution of Noise Metrics in Future Aviation Scenarios in the Uk

The Department for Transport of the UK (DfT) estimates an increase of 90% of air transport movements by 2050 compared to 2010. In order to offset such increase in the number of aircraft operations and avoid the consequent increase in noise impact on exposed populations, aviation industry is working on the development of new technologies for noise reduction. Within this context, organizations such as the International civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Advisory Council for Aviation Research and Innovation in Europe (ACARE) have established strategic research agendas and targets for noise reduction in future aircraft. In this work the results of a parametric study are presented, where the 57-dBA LAeq contour area for the overall UK is estimated for a number of projected (i) aviation growth rates, and (ii) noise reduction rates due to new technologies. Moreover, because of the diverse airframe and engine technologies, different noise reduction rates are estimated at each certification point (lateral, flyover and approach). From the estimation of some acoustical metrics (LAeq, and Noise and Number Index – NNI type metric) at each certification point, the effectiveness of each considered noise reduction rate in reducing aviation noise around airports is discussed.