Sound Analysis of SBP Airport
A study of the impacts of noise on the community generated from the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport
Introduction
The San Luis Obispo Airport is considering a runway expansion to allow larger planes to land at the airport.
Larger Planes will cause more frequent flights with louder planes to land at the airport.
These noise impacts could have drastic effects on the community
Background
Noise an impact communities by decreasing property values and causing negative health impacts on residents that live near the airport.
The most recent study by the City of San Luis Obispo over 5 years ago, found that none of the residential areas of the city were encroaching on the severe impacts of the airport.
However, the expansion of the airport and larger planes were not considered in this analysis. Thus, will larger and more frequent planes have a negative impact on the city?
Methods
To analyze the noise impacts that were generated by airplanes a Pre-Expansion and Post-Expansion conditions. Lines were created to create distance rasters. Distance rasters were manipulated in many steps into noise in decibels. Which then were created into noise contours as shown.
Results
Overall all residents within the study area experienced a 1.7-3dB study area. There was not a statistical difference between the pre-expansion and post-expansion states.
Discussion
The results from the study showed that there are no significant concerns over just larger planes landing due to louder engines and landing closer to residents. However, this study did not try and predict the volumes of planes landing, which may provide concerns from noise impacts.
Conclusion
Due in part to good city planning the airport has minimal impacts on the city in the current state and potential future expansion. Further research will need to be conducted to determine the effects of the increased flights into the airport.
