Bill Overview
Title: Aviation-Impacted Communities Act
Description: This bill addresses noise mitigation for aviation-impacted communities. ( Aviation-impacted community is defined as a community that is located not more than one mile from any point at which a commercial or cargo jet route is 3,000 feet or less above ground level.) Specifically, the bill expands Airport Improvement Program noise mitigation program funding for aviation-impacted communities that are not currently within the 65 day-night average sound level (DNL) standard; requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study that summarizes the relevant literature and studies done on aviation impacts worldwide and focuses on large hub commercial airports and surrounding communities, including communities currently outside of the 65 DNL contour; directs the FAA to conduct outreach to aviation-impacted communities to inform them of the opportunity to be a designated community; requires the FAA to devise an action plan that alleviates or addresses the concerns of a designated community; and provides grants for necessary noise mitigation in a designated community for residences, hospitals, nursing homes, adult or child day care centers, schools, and places of worship.
Sponsors: Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]
Target Audience
Population: People living in aviation-impacted communities
Estimated Size: 15000000
- Communities located within one mile of a flight path where planes fly 3,000 feet or lower will be directly impacted by this bill.
- Globally, many urban areas with major airports will likely contain such aviation-impacted communities.
- Consideration is given to residential areas, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and places of worship under low flight paths.
- Noise pollution from aviation is a significant issue in communities surrounding major airports worldwide, and this bill aims to address those issues.
- The global population near major hubs is substantial given the large number of international airports.
Reasoning
- The budget allows for substantial improvements in noise mitigation, but the financial resources are limited compared to the vast number of communities potentially affected.
- While the policy will have a high impact on those under the flight paths, many living slightly further away will not be directly impacted.
- The focus on residential areas, schools, hospitals, etc., targets vulnerable populations, potentially leading to high impact in these areas initially.
- Financial restrictions mean the roll-out and improvements will likely be gradual, with larger noticeable improvements occurring over years rather than immediately.
- Considering urban areas like those near LAX or JFK is critical as they contain dense populations under flight paths.
Simulated Interviews
High School Teacher (Queens, NY)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The constant noise is really disruptive, particularly during classes.
- I'm glad the policy focuses on outreach and creating action plans by the FAA; it gives hope that our concerns will be addressed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Nurse (Inglewood, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Noise is a major issue at night, affecting our patients' recovery.
- The proposed grants mean we could better soundproof patient rooms, which is very much needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Software Engineer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I wish this could extend to subsidizing better windows as a condo owner.
- The outreach might help us rally for our community to be designated.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Retired (Arlington, VA)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the policy but worry about how fast we'll see changes.
- More resources to address air pollution might help in the long run too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Elementary School Principal (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s fantastic that schools are a focus in the policy - it’s critical for our kids’ learning.
- Effective noise mitigation could drastically improve our teaching environment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Stay-at-home mom (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I often feel powerless against the relentless noise; hoping this policy helps us.
- The idea of community-specific action plans sounds positive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
College Student (San Diego, CA)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The noise is particularly frustrating during exams.
- If executed well, noise reduction measures could improve campus life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Small Business Owner (Dallas, TX)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Noise dampens the ambiance of my business; this bill could help mitigate that.
- Grants for businesses could really help me improve customer satisfaction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Real Estate Agent (Miami, FL)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Noise mitigation might improve property values in affected areas.
- Hoping the policy will aid in changing perceptions about living in impacted areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Environmental Scientist (Boston, MA)
Age: 31 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The study by National Academy of Sciences is crucial for comprehensive understanding.
- Improvements depend on the thoroughness of action plans developed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 2: $600000000 (Low: $480000000, High: $720000000)
Year 3: $700000000 (Low: $560000000, High: $840000000)
Year 5: $900000000 (Low: $720000000, High: $1080000000)
Year 10: $1200000000 (Low: $960000000, High: $1440000000)
Year 100: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Key Considerations
- Legislative changes could help accommodate newly designated aviation-impacted communities requiring mitigation.
- Technological advancements may result in varying costs for noise reduction methods.
- Potential changes in aviation traffic volume and routing can alter the community impact.