The Potential of Event-based Aircraft Noise Modelling and Web Mapping in Communicating and Researching Effects

Aircraft noise modelling and communication has historically relied on presenting average conditions and exposures representative of years, months and days . Average exposure contours and metrics are now recognised as being inappropriate when communicating aircraft noise effects and can lead to mistrust as they do not reflect the experience of communities. By harnessing noise modelling tools with custom data-processing software and by utilising web mapping techniques, the author shows how an event-based approach could provide a major breakthrough in communicating and assessing aircraft noise effects by providing more transparent and accessible access to metrics that better reflect experience. The author also highlights how the approach could yield new metrics that could further understanding and contribute to the research of aircraft noise effects.