Community Workshops

November 2007 – Community Workshop #1 (at 5 different locations)
June 2008 – Community Workshop #2 (at 5 different locations)

Noise Exposure Maps (NEM)

A key part of the Updated Noise Compatibility Program are the Noise Exposure Maps. They depict noise levels generated by airport activity in the surrounding communities by use of the Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) metric.  NEMs have been prepared to depict current (2008) and projected (2013) noise levels in the vicinity of PHL. You can see them here.

Noise Compatibility Program (NCP)

The final product of the study is a Noise Compatibility Program (NCP) that contains all of the measures that were considered and recommends which measures should be implemented.  The NCP is reviewed by the FAA, and each recommended measure is closely examined.  The FAA has 180 days from the time that the report is submitted (and the NEMs are accepted) to review the NCP.  Once the review is complete, a Record of Approval (ROA) is prepared that identifies which of the measures recommended by the airport have been approved by the FAA and are eligible for federal funding.

Public Hearing

A Public Hearing will be scheduled as the study nears completion (at one location near the airport).

Noise Measurement

November 7th to 16th, 2007 - A 10-day aircraft and community noise measurement program was conducted. Portable noise measurement equipment was installed in 28 locations including sites in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Five of these sites were next to the Philadelphia International Airport’s permanent noise monitoring stations.

The noise measurement period included days when the airport operated in both east flow and west flow, and several different types of weather. The results were presented to the Study Advisory Committee on March 13th, 2008. Portions of the analysis were available at the Community Workshops in June 2008.