ACRP 02-51: Evaluating Methods for Determining Interior Aircraft Noise Levels

This paper documents the results of a study of acoustical testing methods used to quantify facade noise reduction measurements for airport sound insulation programs. The research was performed for the National Academy of Sciences as Airport Cooperative Research Project (ACRP) 02-51. Field measurements, in combination with acoustical calculations, were used to determine which methods are best suited for airport sound insulation programs. Loudspeaker (i.e., exterior elevated, exterior ground level, and interior), flyover, and sound intensity measurements were conducted throughout the U.S. In addition, air infiltration measurements and noise reduction calculations were made. Results from each method were analyzed and compared. An analysis of each method's margin of error is presented, along with Best Practices for each method. Finally, a decision matrix for selecting the appropriate acoustical testing method is included.