Overview of Boston Logan Operations and Noise from Overflights Presentation to Massport Board March 19, 2015
Contents How the Airport Operates Massport s Noise Abatement Program for Logan Recent Trends Current Runway Use Test Plan 2
Overview of Boston Logan Operations Boston Logan has six (6) runways pointing toward all primary compass headings The FAA is responsible for directing aircraft and choosing runways\taxiways R15R FAA runway configuration selection (a subset of runways) is primarily based on wind/weather pattern aircraft land and takeoff into the wind R14 R9 R27 The FAA uses taxiways to direct aircraft from the terminal to a runway end for departures and from the runway to the terminal gates for arrivals R32 R33L 3
For safety the FAA seeks to utilize runways that are aligned with the wind direction. In New England we experience all major winds/weather patterns Annual prevailing winds at Logan 22R 22L 15R 15L 33R 27 14 4L 9 4R 33L 32 4
The FAA uses Logan runways in combinations to safely and efficiently meet demand. Each runway configuration impacts communities differently Northeast Flow R 4R\L and 9 Southwest Flow R22R\L and 27 Northwest Flow R33L\32 and 27 Southeast Flow R33L\32 and 27 5
Overall, Runway Use at Logan reflects the seasonal change in weather 25.0% 20.0% Departures as a % of all Jet Activity Jan-15 Jul-14 CY 2014 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% R22R R27 R33L R9 Other 6
Logan runway use and seasonality (Continued) 25.0% 20.0% Arrivals as a % of all Jet Activity Jan-15 Jul-14 CY 2014 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% R22L R27 R33L R4R Other 7
use of the NW departure runways in February was particularly heavy, again reflecting the winter weather pattern Weather (Wind Direction) Runway Use Calm 1% Northeast 18% Other, 8% Northwest 54% Southwest 27% R22R, 14% R9, 16% R27, 35% 33L, 28% Jet Departures only as a percentage of all departures. 8
Because of Logan s urban location, Massport has developed a comprehensive noise abatement program Noise abatement departure procedures Late night opposite direction operations Decibel restriction on R4L departures and 22R arrivals Unidirectional/Wind restriction use R14/32 Residential and School Soundproofing Program Engine run-up restrictions Limited time Specific locations Encourage use of single engine taxiing and reverse thrust 24/7 noise complaint line 617-561- 3333 State of the art Noise Monitoring System Near live flight tracking on website http://www.massport.com/environment/environmental_re porting/noise%20abatement/overview.aspx 9
Begun in 1985, Massport was one of the first airports in the nation to undertake a residential and school sound proofing program Eligibility based on FAA criteria of 65 DNL or higher Over 5,400 homes or 11,400 dwelling units 36 schools Program participation rate about 90% Community Units Soundproofed East Boston 4,546 Winthrop 2,364 Chelsea 1,340 Revere 1,847 S. Boston 1,241 Total 11,338 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 29% 28% East Boston Percent of total housing units soundproofed by community 11% 8% 7% Winthrop Chelsea Revere S. Boston Source: 2010 Census and Massport 10
Example of noise abatement procedures. R22R and R22L Provides overflight benefits to communities southwest of Boston However, procedure does result in overflights to South Shore communities Depart 15R, Land 33L Late night (about midnight to 5AM) Opposite Direction Operation However, procedure does result in overflights to South Shore communities 11
Reflecting improved efficiency by airlines, Logan is handling increased passenger volume on fewer aircraft operations 35 30 Passengers (millions) 27.7 27.4 31.6 600,000 500,000 Total Aircraft Operations 488,000 25 20 400,000 300,000 353,000 364,000 15 10 200,000 5 100,000 0 2000 2010 2014 0 2000 2010 2014
Population Reflecting new engine technology and a reduction of total flights, Logan s noise emissions contours have shrunk significantly over the last decades Total Population W/n 65 db DNL- Boston Logan 50,000 45,000 40,000 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 1990 2000 2013 1990 2000 2012 Note: 65db DNL is FAA s designation of significant noise exposure.
Although flights and noise are down, public concerns over noise remains and has recently increased Noise Complaints to Massport 14,000 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 Noise Complaints Complainants 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 New RNAV and concentration of flights Broad geographic reach, over 80 communities Increased use of multi-media 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 YTD 0
MIlton Hull Belmont Somerville Medford Cambridge Watertown Lynn East Boston Arlington Everett South End Jamaica Plain Winchester Winthrop Boston Roslindale Roxbury Nahant Hingham Revere Weymouth Chelsea South Boston Marblehead Hyde Park Cohasset Dorchester Peabody Essex Quincy Framingham Dedham West Roxbury Canton Salem Holbrook Newton Other In 2014, Massport received 12,885 complaints from 2,094 individuals from 81 communities 3,000 Complaints 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 350 Complainants 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 0 15
Boston Logan Airport Noise Study, Overview One element of FAA mitigation for approving new runway at Boston Logan Conducted in Three Phases Phase I, overflight changes including new RNAV procedures, minimal environmental concerns [COMPLETED] Phase II, including ground noise and more environmental analysis [COMPLETED] Phase III, Runway Use [Underway] Jointly funded by FAA and Massport 16
FAA\Massport\Logan Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Boston Logan Airport Noise Study Arlington Beacon Hill Belmont Beverly Braintree Brookline Cambridge Charlestown Chelsea Chinatown City of Boston Cohasset Dedham Dorchester Duxbury East Boston Halifax Hingham Hull Hyde Park Jamaica Plain Lakeville Lynn Marblehead Marshfield Medford Melrose Milton Nahant Quincy Revere Roslindale Roxbury Scituate Somerville South Boston South End Swampscott Watertown West Roxbury Weymouth Winthrop Note, list is for illustrative purpose only and subject to change.
Enhanced predictability, separation and narrower flight paths. Example application, R22R Departures Pre-RNAV RNAV - 2014 Source: Massport
R33L Late-Night Arrivals, Use of RNAV Precision to Reduce Overflight Noise RNAV RNAV Noise Sensitive Area Noise Sensitive Area Standard ILS Approach Radar Tracks
The FAA, after CAC input, designed the R 33L RNAV Departure as an overlay to the existing flight corridor. Although the new procedure benefits closer in communities overall, concentration has resulted in increase complaints from communities to the west. Greater Boston Region Population Exposed to Noise Levels Between 45 & 65 DNL No Action 1,076,919 Action 1,009,073 Change (67,846) 20
At the Community s Request, Massport Conducted Noise Surveys in Milton and Belmont to Analyze Actual Aircraft Noise from R33L Departures with RNAV in place Survey Locations: Brush Hill Rd, Milton and Louise Rd, Belmont Peak use of R33L (Winter 2014) Confirmed FAA modeling analysis and projections of noise, flight corridor and altitudes Summary of results from noise survey measurements Brush Hill Rd, Milton 21
Phase III, Runway Use (ongoing) Replace Preferential Runway Advisory System (PRAS) Goal is to balance use of runways when possible (e.g. wind and weather permitting) Work with technical committee of CAC representing the various geographical areas around Boston Logan Specific tests are underway to give FAA guidance on Use different runways at night from early morning Alternate runways in the middle of the day Other? 22
Appendix 23
The FAA utilizes various flight corridors over Greater Boston determined by runways in use Southwest: R 27/22L 22R Northwest: R 27/33L/32 Northeast - R 4R - 9
At airports like LAX or PHX the runway layout is much simpler reflecting their primary wind\weather direction of west to east Los Angeles - LAX Boston - BOS Phoenix - PHX 25