TPA Noise Meeting Part 4 - What the consultants Presented
When we finally got to the meat of the meeting, there was little time left. Adam Vaughan had to leave, the two TPA directors had gone, and, not having much time to digest the reports in advance, we weren't in a wholly receptive mood.
I'd be pleased to circulate the report to anyone who wishes to review it - we'd appreciate your input.
A lot of the report is "boilerplate" - material that could apply to any airport anywhere - one hopes that the TPA has not paid a lot for its production, as it is likely simply cut and pasted from other reports.
There is some basic information on measuring noise, that is helpful: Sound measurement is in decibels (d
.
Decibels measurements are not linear - doubling the noise does not double the decibel level - two noises of 60 dB each yield 63 dB total. An increase from 60 to 70 dB doubles the perceived sound level.
The consultants are working on a "Community Noise Model", which is intended to "assess the cumulative noise effects within the study area". However, since there are no standards, or limits to compare the actual noise to, other than the NEF Contours in the tripartite agreement, it is hard to see the value of the exercise.
Much more important to the community, it seems to me, is a study that would actually determine how much more noise the airport can make before it hits the NEF Contour limits. This study,it appears, will not tell us that; we'll just have to wait for Transport Canada to get around to doing the NEF study that is now well overdue.
The last part of the report contains standard possible noise abatement measure - most so obvious,that we asked why they had not been implemented five years ago.
At Adam Vaughan's suggestion, we asked if there was a commitment to implementing them all as soon as possible. No, said the TPA - we want to consult with the community first, and that will take months and months.
Although I had to leave, I understand that community reps were asked by the end of the meeting to advise whether any, or all, of the recommendations should be implemented immediately.I think the answer is a resounding YES TO ALL!
There was one very pleasant surprise in the report, that will follow in the next post.
Brian Iler, Chair
CommunityAIR
I'd be pleased to circulate the report to anyone who wishes to review it - we'd appreciate your input.
A lot of the report is "boilerplate" - material that could apply to any airport anywhere - one hopes that the TPA has not paid a lot for its production, as it is likely simply cut and pasted from other reports.
There is some basic information on measuring noise, that is helpful: Sound measurement is in decibels (d
.Decibels measurements are not linear - doubling the noise does not double the decibel level - two noises of 60 dB each yield 63 dB total. An increase from 60 to 70 dB doubles the perceived sound level.
The consultants are working on a "Community Noise Model", which is intended to "assess the cumulative noise effects within the study area". However, since there are no standards, or limits to compare the actual noise to, other than the NEF Contours in the tripartite agreement, it is hard to see the value of the exercise.
Much more important to the community, it seems to me, is a study that would actually determine how much more noise the airport can make before it hits the NEF Contour limits. This study,it appears, will not tell us that; we'll just have to wait for Transport Canada to get around to doing the NEF study that is now well overdue.
The last part of the report contains standard possible noise abatement measure - most so obvious,that we asked why they had not been implemented five years ago.
At Adam Vaughan's suggestion, we asked if there was a commitment to implementing them all as soon as possible. No, said the TPA - we want to consult with the community first, and that will take months and months.
Although I had to leave, I understand that community reps were asked by the end of the meeting to advise whether any, or all, of the recommendations should be implemented immediately.I think the answer is a resounding YES TO ALL!
There was one very pleasant surprise in the report, that will follow in the next post.
Brian Iler, Chair
CommunityAIR
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