Sound Reevaluation Study Evansville Regional Airport (EVV) Evansville, IN Prepared as part of the 2010 EA Sound Reevaluation Prepared for: Evansville Vanderburgh Airport Authority District 7801 Bussing Dr. Evansville, IN 47725 Prepared by: 300 South Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46225 Phone: (317) 786-0461 CHA Project Numbers: 30431 May 2016 Evansville Regional Airport Sound Reevaluation Study Contents INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 STUDY AND DATA SOURCES ................................................................................................................................................ 1 FORECAST UPDATE OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................................ 2 2.1 BASELINE FORECAST .......................................................................................................................................................... 3 2.2 RECOMMENDED OPERATIONS FORECAST .............................................................................................................................. 4 2.3 FLEET MIX FORECASTS....................................................................................................................................................... 5 SOUND EXPOSURE UPDATE ............................................................................................................................................. 6 3.1 NOISE METHODOLOGY ...................................................................................................................................................... 6 3.2 INTRODUCTION TO NOISE TERMINOLOGY .............................................................................................................................. 6 Integrated Noise Model (INM) ......................................................................................................................................... 6 Noise Exposure Maps ....................................................................................................................................................... 6 Decibel (dB) and A-Weight Sound Pressure Level (dBA) ................................................................................................... 6 Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) ............................................................................................................................. 7 Maximum A-Weighted Sound Level (Lmax) ..................................................................................................................... 7 3.3 AIRPORT OPERATIONAL DATA INPUTS FOR NOISE CONTOUR DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................ 7 Aircraft Operations ........................................................................................................................................................... 8 Aircraft Fleet Mix .............................................................................................................................................................. 9 Stage Length ..................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Runway Utilization ........................................................................................................................................................... 9 Flight Tracks ................................................................................................................................................................... 10 3.4 PREPARED NOISE EXPOSURE MAPS .................................................................................................................................... 13 2015 and 2020 Noise Exposure Maps ............................................................................................................................ 13 Land Use Compatibility ................................................................................................................................................... 13 SUPPLEMENTAL COMMUNITY MEASUREMENTS ........................................................................................................... 17 STUDY CONCLUSIONS..................................................................................................................................................... 18 5.1 PEAK AND AVERAGE NOISE .............................................................................................................................................. 18 5.2 AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT ALTERNATIVES .............................................................................................................................. 19 Primary Runway Designation and Operations ............................................................................................................... 19 Airfield Operational Procedures ..................................................................................................................................... 19 Runway 22 Hold Position ................................................................................................................................................ 20 TABLES FIGURES | Page i May 2016 Evansville Regional Airport Sound Reevaluation Study Evansville Regional Airport Sound Reevaluation Introduction Based on discussions with FAA, it was recommended that the Airport Sponsor (Evansville Regional Airport – EVV) study existing and future sound levels and potential impacts as part of a formal Reevaluation of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Runway 4-22 Runway Safety Area (RSA) Improvement project. This decision was based on the expectation that an update to the activity level would be necessary, an anticipated transition in fleet mix from smaller to larger aircraft, new schedule commercial service, and the relative proximity of sound impact threshold to local communities. As such, the Evansville-Vanderburgh Airport Authority District (EVAAD) conducted this update to the Airport Noise component of the 2010 Final EA Program. For the purposes of this study, the Reevaluation was performed in accordance with guidance provided in FAA Order 5050.4B, NEPA Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions. As documented in the EA, the airport sound contours were anticipated to shift to the northeast based on completion of the RSA project. The previous sound evaluation identified that existing sound impacts were not occurring prior to the project (based on the DNL 65 dB sound contour), and that impacts were not anticipated after construction of the preferred alternative as identified in the Environmental Assessment (EA). However, the EA documented that sound levels would increase in the area to the northeast, but would not exceed federal levels of significance. As the RSA project was completed, noise complaints have been received from locations where higher noise levels were anticipated in association with the runway shift. This indicated neighborhoods in close proximity to the runway were experiencing increased sound levels from arriving/departing aircraft as well as airfield ground operations. As such, the EVAAD conducted this update to the sound evaluation based on the current (2015) and projected (2020) activity levels and revised location of Runway 4-22. This action is consistent with the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) issued by FAA on June 18, 2010. The FONSI includes Mitigation measure No. 7 as follows: “The Airport Authority will work with the airport neighbors and local community to establish new noise management (remedial and preventative) measures to reduce the extent of aircraft noise” 1.1 Study and Data Sources Information factored into the Sound Reevaluation efforts include all elements associated with the development of the input data required for the FAA Integrated Noise Model (INM). This includes data from a variety of sources to calculate current and projected aircraft operations, fleet mix, and flight routes to and from the Airport, flight paths to the airfield, industry trends in fleet mix transitions, and local/regional corporate and recreational aviation activity trends. The data and assumptions used to define baseline conditions and future activity trends were derived from the following data sources: | Page 1 May 2016 Evansville Regional Airport Sound Reevaluation Study Integrated Noise Model (INM) – The INM is a computer model that evaluates aircraft noise impacts in the vicinity of airports. INM is used by FAA under FAR Part 150 Noise Compatibility Planning and FAA Order 1050 Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements. A more detailed description of the noise model will be provided in subsequent sections. FAA 14 CFR Part 150 “Airport Noise Compatibility Planning” – Official FAA guidelines that prescribes the procedures, standards, and methodology governing the development, submission, and review of airport noise exposure maps and airport noise compatibility programs, including the process for evaluating and approving or disapproving those programs. This includes measuring noise at airports and surrounding areas and determining the exposure of individuals to noise that result from airport operations. FAA Terminal Area Forecast (TAF) - TAF activity estimates