Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport | Department of Energy and Environment Airplane Noise Assessment

The DCA Airplane Noise Assessment builds on the previous Phase I study, conducted in 2017. Utilizing the measurement data collected in Phase I, the consultant team computed various supplemental noise metrics (Lmax, Leq, Time Above Level, etc.) identified by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Noise Working Group to further quantify noise impacts and changes in aircraft noise due to arrivals and departures at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Additional long term field measurements were conducted. Specifically, the results of the analysis computed the change in noise exposure due to airspace modifications made from the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) initiative. The consultant team also quantified the community impacts (e.g., sleep disturbance, speech interference) according to national standards. Additionally, we identified and encouraged improvements and changes to existing noise abatement procedures and practices which reduce aircraft noise impact over the District. Specific noise mitigation recommendations were developed and presented to airport management, the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA), and to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The primary beneficiary of this project were the District residents, as the goal of the project is to reduce DCA aircraft noise impacts and improve residents’ quality of life through aircraft noise reduction.

At the conclusion of the project, our team led a community meeting summarizing the results and recommendations from the study.