Evaluating the Use of Spatially Precise Diurnal Population Data in Aviation Noise Studies

Knowing where people are at different times of the day potentially enables the design of airspace routes that minimize the environmental impact to a shifting population on the ground.

The TRB Airport Cooperative Research Program's ACRP Web-Only Document 48: Evaluating the Use of Spatially Precise Diurnal Population Data in Aviation Noise Studies examines the potential role of spatiotemporal population data in aviation noise studies.

Aviation noise analysis has traditionally focused on modeling the noise from an average day of operations. There is potential to move from this static approach to identifying high-aircraft-noise areas to a dynamic method of assessing aircraft noise experienced by people where they are as they move about the day and night.