Request for Public Comment on Noise Analysis for Fort Lauderdale- Hollywood International Airport, Broward County, FL

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

[Federal Register: October 31, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 210)]
[Notices]
[Page 63829-63834]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31oc06-112]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Docket No. FAA-2006-25553]

Request for Public Comment on Noise Analysis for Fort Lauderdale-
Hollywood International Airport, Broward County, FL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Request for public comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is requesting public
comments on a Noise Analysis that was prepared for the Fort Lauderdale-
Hollywood International Airport (FLL). This Analysis identifies noise
impacts in the areas surrounding FLL during a 12-month period from July
2003 to June 2004 and a 12-month period from April 2005 to March 2006.
This Noise Analysis is being provided for public comment as part of a
settlement agreement between the FAA and Broward County related to
runway utilization at FLL.

DATES: The public is invited to comment on this Noise Analysis on or
before November 30, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Address your comments to the Docket Management System, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401, 400 Seventh Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20590-0001. You must identify the docket number FAA-
2006-25553 at the beginning of your comments and you should submit two
copies of your comments. If you wish to receive confirmation that FAA
received your comments, include a self-addressed, stamped postcard.
You may also submit comments through the Internet to
http://dms.gov. You may review the public docket containing comments to
this notice in person in the Dockets Office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Dockets Office is on
the plaza level of the NASSIF building at the Department of Transportation
at the above address. Also, you may review public dockets on the
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. FAA will respond in writing to all
substantive, properly submitted comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the public
comment process should be directed to the FAA contact person, Mr. Miles
T. Bennett, Office of Airport Planning and Programming, Planning and
Environmental Division, APP-400. Mr. Bennett can be contacted in
writing at Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue,
SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: APP-400; or by e-mail at
Tom.Bennett@faa.gov; or via telephone at (202) 267-3263. The Integrated
Noise Model (INM) input data used in preparing the noise contours is
available upon request from the point of contact.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Noise Analysis is separate and
independent from the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process
initiated by the FAA for a proposed runway project on January 19, 2005.
70 FR 3095 (January 19, 2005). The 2004 Map was previously provided for
public review during the scoping process for the above EIS. The 2005
Map derives from noise analysis conducted for the above EIS.
The purpose of this Noise is to notify Federal, State, local
government agencies, and the public about the availability of the Noise
Analysis and the opportunity for review and comment. The FAA is also
announcing the availability of the Noise Analysis in major local
newspapers in the vicinity of FLL.

Background

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is owned and
operated by, and lies within, Broward County, Florida. The cities of
Dania Beach, Hollywood, Davie, and Fort Lauderdale and adjacent, or in
close proximity, to the airport. The airport is bordered by Interstate
595 to the north, Griffin Road to the south, U.S. Route 1 to the east
and Interstate 95 to the west.
In 1989, FAA accepted Noise Exposure Maps (NEMs) submitted by
Broward County for FLL. FAA also received and approved a Noise
Compatibility Program (NCP) for FLL pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 47501 et
seq., as implemented by 14 CFR part 150 (part 150). The FAA reviews
airport noise compatibility programs for consistency with statutory and
regulatory criteria. 65 FR 43802, 43809 (July 14, 2000). To qualify for
approval, program measures, among other things, (1) Must be reasonably
consistent with the goals of reducing existing noncompatible land uses
around the airport and of preventing the introduction of additional
noncompatible land uses; (2) must not derogate safety or adversely
affect the safe and efficient use of airspace; (3) must not impose an
undue burden on interstate or foreign commerce; (4) must not be
unjustly discriminatory or violate other airport grant agreement
assurances; and (5) must be consistent with the powers and
responsibilities of the FAA Administrator. The FAA must approve NCPs
that meet the specified criteria. FLL's approved 1989 NCP included an
informal runway use program. Under this runway use program the
northernmost parallel runway at FLL, Runway 9L/27R, was designated as
the ``preferred runway'' for turbojet departures and arrivals. FLL has
three runways, two parallel east-west runways and a crosswind runway
(generally running from the northwest to the southeast). The
northernmost parallel runway is as noted above; the southernmost
parallel runway is 9R/27L; the crosswind runway is 13/31.
Pursuant to FAA Order 8400.9, National Safety and Operational
Criteria for Runway Use Programs, and FAA order 7110.65M, ``Air Traffic
Control'', Pilot/Controller Glossary, a runway use program is a runway
selection plan designed to enhance noise abatement efforts. The Air
Traffic Service (now ``Air Traffic Operations'') administers

[[Page 63830]]

runway use programs as ``Formal'' or ``Informal.'' Formal programs are
defined and acknowledged in a Letter of Understanding between the
Office of Flight Operations, Air Traffic Service, the airport
proprietor, and the users. Once established, participation in a formal
program is mandatory for aircraft operators and pilots as provided for
in 14 CFR 91.129(h). An informal runway use program does not require a
Letter of Understanding, and participation in the program is voluntary
for aircraft operators/pilots.
In 1995, Broward County submitted revised NEMs and a revised NCP
for FLL. The NCP included a recommendation to continue the informal
runway use program. FAA approved continuation of the informal runway
use program as a voluntary measure. About 10 years later, by letter
dated June 23, 2005, FAA advised Broward County that air traffic had
recently increased to levels that periodically exceeded the capacity of
the noise abatement runway, 9L/27R, resulting in delays affecting the
national airspace system. FAA announced that the non-preferred runways
would experience an increase in use when the capacity of the preferred
runway was exceeded in the future. The June 23, 2005, letter expressly
noted that FAA was not proposing to change the informal runway use
program; however, when demand for the preferred runway exceeded its
capacity, FAA would make use of all available runways. Prior to June
23, 2005, occasionally Runway 13/31, and more frequently Runway 9L/27R,
were made available for use by turbojet aircraft in some situations.
The County specifically agreed to allow use of Runway 13/31 when Runway
9L/27R was being resurfaced and to allow use of both Runway 13/31 and
9R/27L between three and four hours per year during air-shows. In
addition, Runway 13/31 was used by turbojet aircraft during aircraft
emergencies, crosswind conditions, and severe weather conditions. In
recent years Runway 9R/27L has been used for turbojet aircraft on a
limited basis, during peak demand hours.
Runway use at FLL since June 23, 2005, can generally be described
as follows: In the early part of the day, air carrier and turbojet
traffic primarily consists of arrivals, with relatively few departures.
The capacity of the preferred runway is typically not exceeded during
this period. As the day progresses, the number of air carrier and
turbojet arrivals progressively increases while air carrier and
turbojet departures significantly increases and the capacity of 9R/27L
may be exceeded. It is at this point that runway 9R/27L is utilized to
alleviate departure and/or arrival backlog that runway 9L/27R cannot
accommodate. Occasionally, the crosswind runway must be tactically used
to alleviate departure and/or arrival baggage. This permits ATO to
reduce the departure/arrival backlog more quickly and allows the
airport to return to operating on the parallel runways. Typically, in
the latter part of the day/evening, the air carrier and turbojet
traffic levels off and the preferred runway is eventually able to
handle the air carrier and turbojet traffic demand. As shown in the
runway and utilization data described in this Request for Public
Comment, the change in use of runway 13/31 following June 23, 2005, has
been minor and did not change the noise contour. Setting aside the
proposed runway development that is the subject of the current EIS, FAA
does not anticipate any major changes in future runway utilization
unless there is a major change at the airport (i.e., number of
operations, runway characteristics, etc.).
This Noise Analysis discloses the noise impacts at FLL during a 12-
month period from July 2003 to June 2004 and a 12-month period from
April 2005 to March 2006. The Noise Analysis includes two maps that
identify land uses in areas surrounding FLL that experience noise
levels of 65, 70 and 75 DNL dB or greater. The noise contours are
superimposed over the land uses. The 2004 and 2005 maps are available
on FAA's Web site, as noted below.
The first map represents the noise conditions at FLL for the 12-
month period from July 2003 through June 2004 (the 2004 map: See
http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/airports/regional_guidance/southern/
environmental/media/fll_exhib1_2004_baseline.pdf). Between July 2003
to 834 average-annual day operations. The second map represents the
noise conditions at FLL for a 12-month period between April 2005 and
March 2006 (the 2005 map: See http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/
airports/regional_guidance/southern/environmental/media/
fll_exhib2_2005_baseline.pdf). Between April 2005 and March 2006,
320,400 annual operations. A comparison of the two maps reflects how noise
impacts changed between 2004 and 2005, including any effect of increasing
use of the non-preferred runways during periods when demand exceeds the
capacity of the north parallel runway (See http://www.faa.gov/
airports_airtraffic/airports/regional_guidance/southern/environmental/
media/fll_exhib3_2004_2005_baseline.pdf).
Version 6.1. Inputs to the INM include the runway length and direction,
number of aircraft operations (the landing or take-off of an aircraft
is considered one ``operation'') during the period evaluated, the types
of aircraft flown, the time of day when they were flown, how frequently
each runway was used for arriving and departing aircraft, the routes of
flight used to and from the runways (flight tracks), and ground runup
activity. The INM calculates noise exposure for the area around the
airport and outputs contours of equal noise exposure. The same flight
tracks were used in preparing both maps because no change in the flight
tracks occurred during the relevant period.
Aircraft types and times of operations were determined using
Official Airline Guide (OAG) data, landing fee reports for the relevant
periods, and the Airports Noise and Operations Management System
(ANOMS) data. The ANOMS data was provided by Broward County.
The number of housing units, number of people, and area within each
noise exposure contour for 2004 is illustrated below. This data
compiled using parcel records from the Broward County property
appraiser's office and through a review of aerial photography.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary units 2004 Multi family Single family Mobile home Total units
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
65 DNL.......................................... 11 10 36 57
70 DNL.......................................... 0 3 0 3
75 DNL.......................................... 0 0 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------
65+......................................... 11 13 36 60
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 63831]]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary Population 2004 Multi family Single family Mobile home Total pop
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
65 DNL.......................................... 29 24 60 113
70 DNL.......................................... 0 9 0 9
75 DNL.......................................... 0 0 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------
65+......................................... 29 33 60 122
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Area Exposed to Various Noise Levels (in Square miles)
2004 map
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area over
Noise level Area on 2004 airport Area over
map property Atlantic Ocean
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
65 DNL.......................................................... 3.0 0.5 0.4
70-75 DNL....................................................... 1.3 0.4 0.0
75+ DNL......................................................... 0.9 0.8 0.0
-----------------------------------------------
Total 65+ DNL............................................... 5.2 1.7 0.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Landrum & Brown, 2004.

Approximately 5.2 square miles are within the 2004 Maps' 65+ DNL
noise contour. However, 2.1 square miles of that is over either the
airport or the Atlantic Ocean.
The number of housing units, number of people, and area within each
noise exposure contour for 2005 is illustrated below.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary units 2005 Multi family Single family Mobile home Total units
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
65 DNL.......................................... 2 2 0 4
70 DNL.......................................... 0 3 0 3
75 DNL.......................................... 0 0 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------
65+......................................... 2 5 0 7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary Population 2005 Multi family Single family Mobile home Total pop
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
65 DNL.......................................... 4 5 0 9
70 DNL.......................................... 0 9 0 9
75 DNL.......................................... 0 0 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------
65+......................................... 4 14 0 18
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[2005 Map's Noise Contours]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area over
Noise level Area on 2005 airport Area over
map property Atlantic Ocean
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
65-70 DNL....................................................... 2.8 0.6 0.3
70-75 DNL....................................................... 1.3 0.6 0.0
75+ DNL......................................................... 0.8 0.7 0.0
-----------------------------------------------
Total 65+ DNL............................................... 4.9 1.9 0.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Landrum & Brown, 2006.

Approximately 4.9 square miles are within the 2005 Map's 65+ DNL
noise contour. However, 2.2 square miles of that area is over either
airport property or the Atlantic Ocean.

Comparison of 2004 and 2005 Noise Contours:

Number of Operations and Fleet Mix: Annual operations increased by
15,970 between July 2003 and March 2006, which results in an increase
of 44 average-annual day operations. This increase occurred in the air
carrier and commuter/air tai categories, while the general aviation
category experienced a decrease. In addition to the increase in
operations, there was also a change in the fleet mix of the air carrier
and commute/air taxi categories. The air carrier fleet experienced a
reduction in the older noisier aircraft, such as the 727-200
(Hushkitted), 737-200 (Hushkitted) and the MD90 aircraft, and an
increase in newer quieter aircraft, such as Airbus 319, 320 and 321
aircraft. The commute/air taxi agency experienced an increase in
regional jets and turboprop aircraft. The percentage of nighttime
operations decreased from the 2004 Map to the 2005 Map. The percent of
nighttime operations for the 2004 Map was approximately 11 percent
while the percentage of nighttime operations for the 2005 Map decreased
to approximately 10 percent.
Runway Utilization: The runway utilization at FLL is comparable
between the period covered by the 2004 Map and the 2005 Map. The minor
difference in runway utilization percentages is within a normal
variance for a large airport when comparing data from different time
periods. The 2005 map reflects increase use of Runway 9R

[[Page 63832]]

by general aviation jets and commuter propeller aircraft. Runway end
utilization percentages reflect an average annual day.

Runway End Utilization 2004 Map
[Fort Lauderdale--Hollywood International Airport]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percentage
Runway user group --------------------------------------------------------------
09L 09R 13 27R 27L 31 Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Carrier/Cargo

Takeoff..........................................
Heavy Jet....................................
Daytime...................................... 77.1 0.0 0.5 21.8 0.0 0.6 100
Nighttime.................................... 78.4 0.0 0.5 20.4 0.0 0.7 100
Landing..........................................
Daytime...................................... 74.9 0.0 1.3 23.3 0.0 0.5 100
Nighttime.................................... 79.6 0.0 1.0 19.2 0.0 0.2 100
Air Carrier/Cargo
Takeoff..........................................
Large Jet....................................
Daytime...................................... 77.6 0.0 0.5 21.4 0.0 0.5 100
Nighttime.................................... 78.1 0.0 0.4 20.9 0.0 0.6 100
Landing..........................................
Daytime...................................... 76.1 0.0 1.6 22.1 0.0 0.2 100
Nighttime.................................... 79.3 0.1 0.1 19.3 0.0 0.4 100
Commuter/Air Taxi
Takeoff..........................................
Commuter Jet.................................
Daytime...................................... 76.7 0.9 0.6 20.7 0.3 0.8 100
Nighttime.................................... 78.5 0.0 0.6 18.4 0.0 2.5 100
Landing..........................................
Daytime...................................... 73.5 1.9 1.9 21.6 0.5 0.6 100
Nighttime.................................... 74.3 0.4 1.5 22.8 0.1 0.9 100
Takeoff..........................................
Commuter Prop................................
Daytime...................................... 57.2 20.0 1.4 12.8 7.0 1.7 100
Nighttime.................................... 71.4 1.8 2.5 19.5 0.9 3.9 100
Landing..........................................
Daytime...................................... 40.2 33.6 3.7 12.7 8.8 1.0 100
Nighttime.................................... 70.0 1.7 2.3 25.2 0.8 0.0 100
General Aviation/Military
Takeoff..........................................
General Aviation.............................
Jet Daytime.................................. 74.9 1.6 0.6 20.2 1.0 1.7 100
Nighttime.................................... 77.8 0.3 0.8 17.5 0.1 3.5 100
Landing..........................................
Daytime...................................... 71.4 3.2 2.0 22.2 0.9 0.3 100
Nighttime.................................... 76.5 0.3 3.2 18.1 0.1 1.8 100
Takeoff..........................................
General Aviation.............................
Prop Daytime................................. 52.1 23.0 2.6 10.5 9.1 2.7 100
Nighttime.................................... 75.1 0.5 2.7 17.8 0.0 3.9 l00
Landing..........................................
Daytime...................................... 32.1 41.4 2.6 11.0 11.3 1.6 100
Nighttime.................................... 74.2 0.6 2.1 22.1 0.3 0.7 100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daytime=7:00 a.m.-9:59 p.m.
Nighttime=10:00 p.m.-6:59 a.m.
Source: 2003, 2004 Airports Noise and Operations Management System (ANOMS) data, Broward County Aviation
Department.

Runway End Utilization 2005 Map
[Fort Lauderdale--Hollywood International Airport]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percentage
Runway user group --------------------------------------------------------------
09L 09R 13 27R 27L 31 Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Carrier/Cargo
Takeoff..........................................
Heavy Jet....................................
Daytime...................................... 77.0 0.0 0.3 23.0 0.0 0.2 100
Nighttime.................................... 76.8 0.0 0.1 23.0 0.0 0.1 100
Landing..........................................
Daytime...................................... 77.5 0.0 0.5 21.9 0.0 0.1 100
Nighttime.................................... 77.8 0.0 1.5 20.6 0.0 0.1 100

[[Page 63833]]

Air Carrier/Cargo
Takeoff..........................................
Large Jet....................................
Daytime...................................... 78.1 0.0 0.1 21.7 0.0 0.1 100
Nighttime.................................... 77.4 0.0 0.2 22.2 0.0 0.2 100
Landing..........................................
Daytime...................................... 77.5 0.0 0.5 21.9 0.0 0.1 100
Nighttime.................................... 77.8 0.0 1.8 20.3 0.0 0.1 100
Commuter/Air Taxi
Takeoff..........................................
Commuter Jet.................................
Daytime...................................... 78.1 0.0 0.1 21.7 0.0 0.1 100
Nighttime.................................... 77.4 0.0 0.2 22.2 0.0 0.2 100
Landing..........................................
Daytime...................................... 77.5 0.0 0.5 21.9 0.0 0.1 100
Nighttime.................................... 77.8 0.0 1.8 20.3 0.0 0.1 100
Takeoff..........................................
Commuter Prop................................
Daytime...................................... 43.2 34.2 1.6 12.0 8.2 0.8 100
Nighttime.................................... 70.9 3.2 2.4 19.6 1.5 2.4 100
Landing..........................................
Daytime...................................... 25.4 53.3 0.5 19.2 1.5 0.1 100
Nighttime.................................... 81.6 0.1 1.5 16.6 0.1 0.1 100
General Aviation/Military
Takeoff..........................................
General Aviation. 66.5 10.4 0.8 16.8 4.7 0.8 100
Jet Daytime.................................. 66.5 10.4 0.8 16.8 4.7 0.8 100
Nighttime.................................... 77.7 0.2 1.3 20.1 0.1 0.6 100
Landing..........................................
Daytime...................................... 58.3 19.9 0.4 14.9 6.4 0.1 100
Nighttime.................................... 75.9 0.2 2.8 20.5 0.5 0.1 100
Takeoff..........................................
General Aviation.............................
Prop Daytime................................. 47.0 28.5 3.0 9.7 10.0 1.8 100
Nighttime.................................... 74.5 4.5 2.0 13.1 0.5 5.4 100
Landing..........................................
Daytime...................................... 22.7 56.4 0.4 5.7 14.7 0.1 100
Nighttime.................................... 79.7 0.3 1.9 17.4 0.6 0.1 100
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daytime=7:00 a.m.-9:59 p.m.
Nighttime=10:00 p.m.-6:59 a.m.
Source: 2005, 2006 Airports Noise and Operations Management System (ANOMS) data, Broward County Aviation
Department.

Flight Tracks: No change in the flight tracks occurred between July
2003 and March 2006.
Ground Runup Noise: There was a small increase in the number of
engine runups that is reflected in the 2005 Map. This change was in
proportion to the increase or decrease in the overall operations of the
types of aircraft performing the runups.
Noise Contours: The 2005 noise contour is smaller than the 2004
contour due to the changes in fleet mix and the decrease in the
percentage of nighttime operations. The shape of the noise contours off
all runway ends remains the same, which is reflective of no significant
changes in runway end utilization or flight tracks. The minor change in
the utilization of Runway 13/31 did not change the noise contour.
The two areas where differences in the noise contours occur are to
the west of the airport, off Runway 9L/27R and to the northwest of the
airport, off Runway 13/31 (See http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/
airports/regional_guidance/southern/environmental/media/
fll_exhibx_housing_diff_2004_2005.pdf). For the area west of the airport,
off Runway 9L/27R, a total of nine (9) mobile homes are no longer in the
2005 65 DNL noise contour when compared to the 2004 65 DNL dB noise contour.
For the area northwest of the airport, off Runway 13/31, a total of
thirty-seven (37) homes (consisting of twenty-seven (27) mobile homes,
two (2) multi-family homes with a total of nine (9) units, and eight
(8) single-family homes) are no longer in the 2005 65 DNL dB noise
contour when compared to the 2004 65 DNL dB noise contour.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary units difference 2004 and 2005 Multi family Single family Mobile home Total units
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
65 DNL.......................................... -9 -8 -36 -53
70 DNL.......................................... 0 0 0 0
75 DNL.......................................... 0 0 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------
65+......................................... -9 -8 -36 -53
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 63834]]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary population difference 2004 and 2005 Multi family Single family Mobile home Total pop
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
65 DNL.......................................... -25 -19 -60 -104
70 DNL.......................................... 0 0 0 0
75 DNL.......................................... 0 0 0 0
---------------------------------------------------------------
65+......................................... -25 -19 -60 -104
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Issued in Washington, DC on October 24, 2006.
Steve Kelley,
Manager, Airspace and Procedures, Eastern Terminal Services, Federal
Aviation Administration.
[FR Doc. 06-8975 Filed 10-30-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M

Notices For
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994

Request for Public Comment on Noise Analysis for Fort Lauderdale- Hollywood International Airport, Broward County, FL

Local Navigation