Noise Abatement for IAH Current Status Recommendations

Noise Abatement for IAH Current Status Recommendations WEST I-45 FLIGHT NOISE COALITION

WELCOME TO THE WEST 45 TOWN HALL MEETING Who is West 45? An organization of Communities located West of Interstate 45

Why we are here? To obtain information, both status update and technical about expansion at IAH and Wayne Hooks To understand how this information affects the West 45 Communities To learn what options are available to reclaim and maintain our family orientated communities To encourage West 45 residents to demonstrate support for options To encourage elected officials, FAA and HAS to action our requests

What IAH Brings to Houston Employment (118,000) Economic Growth (2004) $19.4B in Sales $5.6B in personal income International Routes (SA) Promotes Houston as a Hub Tax Revenue

The Statistics Size Metro Houston is home to the 4th largest multi-airport system in the nation. The 6th largest in the world The 7th-largest international passenger gateway in the U.S. Performance Currently #1 for on time performance in the country Growth rate of nearly 4 million passengers per year 44 million travelers were served in 2004 Future Projection By 2020 Houston Airport System will handle 80 million passengers per year.

Wayne Hooks Airport (I) Privately owned airport at the end of Stubener Airline and FM2920 Small aircraft and training school City of Tomball in negotiations to purchase airfield Environmental impact studies being completed Tomball City Council wants federal funding to purchase and for expansion costs.

Wayne Hooks Airport (II) Runway flow will not affect the City of Tomball however IAH flow does and will Residents that moved into an area that was not affected by the current size of the community airport will now be at the end of the runway after expansion. (This is called encroachment on the airport and people shouldn t t have bought there)

Why West 45 concern about both IAH and Wayne Hooks The FAA defined the airspace over the entire area from Tomball to 20 miles east of IAH as Class B airspace. Whatever the owners of the airports and the FAA decide to do with that airspace affects everyone under it.

Why West 45 concern about both IAH and Wayne Hooks With the intercept levels defined as anywhere between 2000 to 3000 ft for IAH means that planes at Wayne Hooks are under these levels to ensure proper distances between the planes are maintained Therefore the West 45 Communities will either be directly or indirectly affected by the future plans at both airports

Why Noise Abatement Program/Policy at IAH

History 2003 2000 Master expansion Plan approved after Noise and Environmental Study October 2003: The FAA classified the airspace for a 30 mile radius around IAH as Class B and designated a flight altitude of 2000 feet October 28, 2003: IAH opened runway (8L-26r) December 2003 CHARGE organized in protest of the noise and air pollution

History 2004 2004 In response to political pressure HAS implemented a RUNWAY MANAGEMENT PLAN 2004 In response to political pressure the City of Houston agreed to finance a Noise Study to VALIDATE the results of the 2000 study. 2004 HAS held Public Information Meetings explaining future expansion of IAH including 2 more east west runways.

History 2005 May Unveiling of the preferred alternative for future development: one RUNWAY between 8L and 8R and one along Greens Rd.for 2 more east-west runways May West 45 Airport Noise Committee forms Ellington closes and CARGO moves to IAH

History 2005 to Date October CHARGE and West 45 co host Town Hall Meeting November Congressman Judge Ted Poe creates Airport Noise Task Force March 2 nd meeting of Airport Task Force April & May CHARGE & West 45 have meetings with HAS/Continental June 20 West 45 hosts Airport Noise Town Hall Meeting West 45 and Wayne Hooks Coalition meet to review what mutual action must be taken to secure their family oriented communities

Where are we today (I) Classification of B airspace concerns: Federal Register One commenter expressed a concern that noise from large turbine powered aircraft at lower altitudes over populated areas to the east and west would be a problem

Where are we today (II) Answer: the noise issue was addresses during the environmental analysis for runway 8L/26R. The noise impact was determined to be minimal because the affected areas east and west of the airport are largely unpopulated farmland and prairie.

Where are we today (III) The Airline Pilots Association recommended that: The FAA raise the 3000 floor to 4000 to the east and west of IAH to realistically reflect the air traffic control requirements for conducting triple, simultaneous approaches and to allow for the efficient operation of aircraft.

Where we are today on Environmental Impact Study Regarding abatement procedures for runway 8L/26R, there are no logical technical reasons to implement abatement procedures for that runway. The issue was studied in detail before construction and no substantive data has been provided since to refute the conclusions of the environmental impact study (Vacar,, 2/9/06) What area was included in the environmental impact study? Airport property only Was the area west of I-45 I included in the environmental study? NO!

Where are we today Runway Management Plan Richard Vacar,, Director, Houston Airport System said, IAH receives approximately 1,000 noise complaints a month and 80 to 90 percent of those are made by the same six people. (Spring Online Observer, 8/1/2005 Edition) The current Runway Management Plan is not a Noise Abatement Program/Policy and it is not effective.

Where are we today Noise Study Put charts in here for west 45

IAH Preferred Future Additional Runways New Runway 8C/26C New Runway 8C/26C 150 150 x 12,000 Runway separation 6,000 to 7,000 feet (Final alignment to be determined) Old Runways Acquire 1,100 acres Acquire 1,100 acres New Runway 9R/27L 150 x 10,000 New Runway 9R/27L Preferred Alternative June 2005

Summary of current Status (I) Three years of discussions,have not resulted in any substantive change. No past or current Environmental Impact Study included the West side although the affect is significant and never will because FAA section 150 is designed to ensure that areas beyond the airport proper are excluded from the studies therefore mitigation.

Summary of current Status (II) 2004 Noise Study said West 45 didn t t have a problem but data was distorted and meaningless as there was no 2000 data to compare and 3 of 10 days the equipment malfunctioned. The AIRLINES RESPONSE IS airport may ask us to do something but we will study it to determine THE cost benefit to determine if we will. Who is running the show?

Costs for 2000 Expansion Original Budget for both IAH & Hobby $ 1.4 B (Billion) PUBLIC FUNDS Total Costs for IAH PUBLIC FUNDS Total Costs for Hobby PUBLIC FUNDS $2.5 billion $ 500 million The $1.6 billion increase was attributed to additional projects ie taxiways and bridges ( why were they not included in the original estimate?) and 9/11 requirements rather than over runs

Continental Airlines Continental was able to sell tax-exempt bonds to build terminal E because the airports are owned by the City (publicly funded) and that privatizing the airport could jeopardize the ability to sell such bonds in the future as well as hurt the airports ability to receive Federal Grants( public money

Houston Airport System aka The City of Houston is not financed by taxpayer money such as property taxes or sales tax but instead is financed by user fees, income from land owned by the System, federal funds derived from airline tickets and other revenue. Vacar Public money is public money!

Hidden Costs Air Travel is heavily subsidized by Health Related Costs society Jet emissions at 2000 and in warmer weather vapor exhaust turns to particles. Sulphur Content- 3000 parts per million ( 15 parts per million gas; 8 parts diesel)

Hidden Costs Exposure to excessive noise (i.e. 55 dbl) ) can: Lower children s s learning and academic performance Increase blood pressure & cardiovascular disease Cause mental health disorders, stress, depression Cause work performance issues

Additional Hidden Costs Building Building of roads and other infrastructure to support expansion with public funds. Outdoor conversation can not be heard over the airplanes Expansions are almost totally funded by Federal grants an various federal funding programs. Tax breaks

Why the concern at Hooks HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF!!!

Wayne Hooks and the City of Tomball No City of Tomball taxpayer money will be used to finance the purchase and expansion! TRUE!!!! It is Federal Taxpayer Money The History of IAH will Repeat itself at Wayne Hooks

Community Response to the Noise Problem PUBLIC MONEY FUNDS THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THE HOUSTON AIRPORT SYSTEM, THE FAA AND OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS THE PUBLIC DEMANDS THEIR TAX MONEY FROM WHATEVER SOURCE IMPLEMENT AN EFFECTIVE AND MEANINGFUL NOISE ABATEMENT PROGRAM/POLICY.

What is Noise Abatement Reduction of harmful noise. The reduction of noise pollution WEST I-45 FLIGHT NOISE COALITION

WHAT IS A NOISE ABATEMENT PROGRAM/POLICY A Noise abatement program/policy addresses the matter of aircraft operations for all aircraft to reduce community noise pollution The program/policy is where the operational procedures are are documented, approved and followed.

Noise abatement program/policy defines procedures and requirements in the operation of an aircraft including: Runways Noise Routes Hours of Operations Arrival /Departure Procedures Duration of Flights Visual and Instrument Landing Approaches Defines Noise Violations and penalties Altitude Restrictions

Air Traffic Pattern in North Harris County 26 planes in the air at once but I lost the map Noise Abatement Plan but not a Procedure.

Flight Path Excludes City of Houston I lost the map

All Major National/International Airports have noise abatement procedures Los Angeles (Voluntary Buy-out/Soundproofing of Homes) Chicago (MAC) Oakland, California Seattle Anchorage) Phoenix AZ St. Paul/Minneapolis Seoul Boca Raton

Noise Abatement Procedure at O Hare O Field in Chicago Pilots are reminded on the runways that from 10 PM to 7 AM noise procedures are in effect.

Santa Barbara Noise Abatement Procedures Many cities have waterways to help design their flight approaches and mitigate residential noise.

Boca Raton, Florida Noise Abatement Landlocked cities like Houston must use flight paths over business districts to protect residential areas.

Noise Abatement Program/Policy MAKES SENSE Fuel Efficient Saves flight time Improves Airline Flight Record Lowers Noise over Communities Lowers Air Pollution

Intercept Elevation Changes 4000 INTERCEPT 2000 INTERCEPT GLIDE SLOPE 3º END OF RUNWAY Planes should fly high over residential areas and begin their descent on the glide slope at the last possible moment. Higher planes mean less noise Currently planes fly at 2000 feet

Intercept and Glide Slope The approach directly determines the noise pollution level. The approach is determined by the Intercept and Glide Slope. The Glide Slope is always at 3 degrees. Current intercept elevation is 2000 and requires more fuel (thrust) to fly and thus makes more noise. Raising the intercept level to 4000 (rather than 2000 ) ) will bring relief to 20 30 mile radius of IAH for noise pollution. August 2005, after discussions with the FAA and the City of Houston, Congressman Poe announced the intercept level would be raised to 3000 feet. Result: The platter shows planes can fly at 3000 feet to ensure proper spacing with Hook s s takeoff s s otherwise planes can fly at 2000 intercept

NOISE ABATEMENT PROCEDURES The City of Houston the owner of the airport must develop the Noise Abatement Program they want for their community The City of Houston then submits the program to the FAA for review and approval The Carriers have input but ultimately it is the City of Houston s s decision what to include If the carriers reject the plan either the City succumbs or the carrier has the option of leaving this HUB Who is running IAH?

Noise Abatement Procedures WHAT ARE SOME IMMEDIATE OPTIONS AVAILABLE?

Land Use Compatibility Objectives, Policies and Standards The responsibility for determining the acceptable and permissible land uses and the relationship between specific properties and specific noise contours rests with the local authorities. Federal Aviation Regulations, Part 150, Land Use Compatibility and Guidelines are not intended to substitute federally determined land uses for those determined to be appropriate by local authorities in response to locally determined needs and values in achieving noise compatible land uses. Federal Aviation Regulations, Part 150 recommends guidelines for planning land use compatibility within various levels of aircraft noise exposures, which are included in the Airport Master Plan.

IAH before recent expansion I-45 FM 1960

Airport Expansion 2004-present FM 1960/I-45 New Runways

Landing Pattern 2001 I-45---FM1960 New Runways

Present Landing I-45---FM1960 New Runways

Distance from Olde Oaks to IAH 7.5 miles= 6.5 nautical miles

When the Impact Study for the airport expansion was carried out by IAH the effect on the residential areas West of I-45 area was not considered. The study area extended as far west as the Hardy Toll Rd. Area dominated by industrial, agricultural and park usage http://web.houstonairportsystem.org/iahmasterplan/brochures_presentations/group%20a%20stakeholder%20me eting%201/group%20a%20stakeholdersenvirons%20lu%20compatibility_files/frame.htm

IAH Planning considered this area mainly agricultural Note Green areas to North and South of FM 1960 Olde Oaks (USGS 2001- web page)

IAH Planning considered this area mainly agricultural Note Green areas to North and South Olde Oaks (USGS 2001- web page)

Current take off (blue)/landing(red)

Assumed Impact of proposed third runway

Noise Abatement Change landing approach to a Continuous Descent Approach along 3 o to 4 o glide plane Establish acceptable noise levels (suggest 55 db) Establish permanent noise monitor stations to ensure compliance Establish fines for non-compliance Establish curfew for noise sensitive areas Carry out studies of single noise events and establish maximum noise contour maps Modify landing approach

Continuous Descent Approach 8 km = 5 land miles (John-Paul Clarke, 2004)

Latest ILS Chart for Runway 8L Note: 2000 ft when approved by ATC

Comments on Noise Abatement Houston is one of the few major cities in the world with no noise abatement procedures

Sea-Tac Tac,, Washington PREFERENTIAL RUNWAYS During nighttime hours, 10pm to 6am, those aircraft equipped with flight management system (FMS) operate through the North Flow Nighttime Noise Abatement Corridor. This measure is operational when traffic and other conditions permit, as determined by the FAA.

Limits on individual noise events in UK airports apply similar rules for landing at IAH The UK Department of Environment, Transportation and the Regions (DETR) have announced the decision to lower noise monitor limits around London area airports. This press release is over 40 pages and describes the process whereby this decision was reached. Below is a table of the new limits and the effective date. Time Take-Off Limit Effective Date 0700-2300 0600-0700 2300-2330 2330-0600 94dBA 89dBA 89dBA 87dBA Feb. 25, 2001 March 25, 2001 March 25, 2001 March 25, 2001 There are penalties associated with these limits.

Vienna Monitoring Stations (red)

Sea-Tac Fines for Noise Pollution Based on these Run-Up Restrictions, Tariffs have been implemented. As of April 30, 2003 the fines associated with violating the run-up restrictions are: First offense in one year Second offense in one year Third offense in one year Maximum fine within one year = Letter of Admonishment Second = $1,000 = $2,000 = $8,000

Sea-Tac Noise Contour Maps

Noise Contours for JFK (lines of equal noise levels)

Detailed studies Required

Apply Modern Modeling Techniques

Recommend to alter landing approach to less populated areas Residence New runway Proposed runway

Presentation by Prof. John-Paul Clarke PhD Aeronautical Engineering MIT Director of the Aeronautical Engineering Laboratory at Georgia Institute of Tech Advisor to Boeing WEST I-45 FLIGHT NOISE COALITION

Note: This is a plan not an abatement program Not Acceptable

This is not enforced on a regular basis

Question on changing the descent angle

Organization Website

File Complaints

Conclusion Establish a Neighborhood Coalition with the airport following the model of the San Francisco Airport: A stringent noise abatement program/policy within 6 months (end of 2006) Impose fines on noise infractions Maintain a vigilant review of compliance with the agreed to noise abatement program