April 4, 2008
Arlington Heights Mayor Re-Elected To Head O’Hare Noise Compatibility
Commission
Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene J. Mulder an internationally recognized leader on issues of aircraft noise mitigation, was re-elected Chairperson for 2008 of the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission Friday, April 4, during the Commission’s annual meeting in Rosemont. Mulder has been elected ONCC chair annually since 1997.
In her acceptance remarks, Mulder announced that 2007 experienced the ninth continuous year of reduced O’Hare aircraft noise complaints received by the City of Chicago.
“We recognize the vital economic benefits O’Hare brings to the region and will continue to work with airlines, homeowners and school districts to ensure environmental noise reduction remains a top priority as the Chicago Airport System continues the O'Hare Modernization Program,” explained Mulder.
Other ONCC officials re-elected were Superintendent Dr. Raymond J. Kuper of Union Ridge School District 86 in Harwood Heights as Vice-Chairman and former Mt. Prospect Mayor Gerald L. “Skip” Farley as Treasurer.
March 24, 2008
O’Hare Aircraft Noise Complaints Fall for Ninth Year
Calls to the O’Hare Noise Hotline fell in 2007 for the ninth consecutive year, as shown in the chart. The hotline received 1,248 noise complaints in 2007, down from 1,362 in 2006 and only a small fraction of the 25,773 calls received in the peak year, 1998.
In addition, noise complaint reporting is now more accurate, as the hotline draws on the resources of the Chicago call center to take calls 24 hours a day. Previously, a recorded message and a voice mail system greeted callers during non-business hours. With live operators asking the callers specific questions, the ONCC is gathering more accurate information to use in addressing aircraft noise issues.
The ONCC attributes the largest part of the complaint decrease to gradual reduction of overall aircraft noise around O’Hare Airport, especially since the retirement of older and noisier Stage-2 and Stage-3 aircraft, including the Boeing 727.
The ONCC uses information collected from noise complaints to identify specific aircraft that deviate from the nighttime Fly Quiet Program, which is designed to reduce aircraft noise over residential areas through use of preferred departure runways and flight paths. Inquiries are made to the airlines when specific Fly Quiet deviations are identified.
Source: Airport Noise Monitoring System
Click on the image to see larger chart.
November 21, 2007
Dever Elementary School Students Take Center Stage
At Celebration of 100th Sound-Insulated School
It was fitting that school children have center stage for a celebration of the completion of sound insulation of the 100th O’Hare area school by the world’s largest school sound insulation program. The children of Chicago’s William E. Dever Elementary School didn’t disappoint.
The celebration was co-sponsored by the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission, Chicago Public Schools, and the Chicago Airport System. The event attracted a long list of dignitaries and special guests, including State Representative Michael McAuliffe, several ONCC members, representatives of the Dever School PTA (who provided refreshments after the ceremony), representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration, and representatives of American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines, and Ms. Ann Limjoco, Suburban Director for Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky
Read more by clicking here.
September 7, 2007
ONCC Welcomes 42nd Member – Village of Schiller Park
 The members of the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission unanimously approved the Village of Schiller Park for membership at the September 7, 2007 meeting. Schiller Park is the 42nd ONCC member.
June 18, 2007
ONCC Welcomes 41st Member – City of Wood Dale
 The members of the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission unanimously approved the City of Wood Dale for membership at the June 1, 2007 meeting. Wood Dale is the 41st ONCC member.
May 16 , 2007
ONCC Participates in 2007 Aviation Noise and Air Quality Symposium
 Several representatives from the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission attended the 2007 Aviation Noise and Air Quality Symposium in San Francisco, CA. The Symposium took place from March 4-7 2007. The Symposium Program was developed by a Committee consisting of a broad range of industry practitioners and is sponsored by the University of California Davis Air Quality Research Center. ONCC Chairperson and Arlington Heights, IL Mayor Arlene J. Mulder represented the ONCC on the Planning Committee for the 2007 Symposium.
Mayor Mulder articipated on a panel on Sunday, March 4, 2007 entitled Training the Next Generation in which she and the other speakers addressed the pertinent tools and skill sets that the next generation of aviation environmental professionals will need. There was also a presentation on Monday, March 5, 2007 on the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Land Use Grant Program and the $750,000 grant earned by Des Plaines in 2006.
For those of you who would like to review the Symposium program and download or print off the materials and handouts from the various presentations, you can visit the UC Davis Air Quality Research Center Web site.
If you have any additional questions or need more information about the Symposium, please contact Brian Gilligan at (773) 686-3198, or via e-mail at bgilligan@ohare.com.
For those of you who would like to review the Symposium program and download or print off the materials and handouts from the various presentations, you can visit the UC Davis Air Quality Research Center Web site.
May 16, 2007
2006 ONCC Annual Report Now Available
 The O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission’s (ONCC) 2006 Annual Report is now available by mail or from the Internet. Written requests for free printed copies can be sent to the ONCC, at P.O. Box 1126, Des Plaines, IL 60017-1126. The report can also be viewed and downloaded from the ONCC Web site.
Click here to download report in PDF format.
March 14 , 2007
O’Hare Noise Levels Decline Again in 2006
Aircraft noise levels around O’Hare International Airport declined again in 2006, the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission (ONCC) reported, with the greatest improvements recorded in communities closest to the airport.
ONCC officials attributed the aircraft noise reduction around O’Hare International Airport to quieter aircraft fleets; greater adherence to the nighttime O’Hare Fly Quiet Program, which is designed to reduce aircraft noise over residential areas through the use of preferred departure runways and flight paths; and other technological and operational improvements.
The City of Chicago’s Airport Noise Monitoring System (ANMS) measures noise at 30 sites around O’Hare, and the ONCC reports those results to its members and the public on a monthly basis.
The largest decline was reported at site #3 in Bensenville, where the 2006 Day-Night Average Noise Level (DNL) was 61.0, down 6.3 from the 67.3 DNL recorded when the baseline readings were taken in 2000. Other large improvements were recorded in Melrose Park (-5.2), Northlake (-4.9), Schiller Park (-4.4), Park Ridge (-4.0), Elk Grove Village (-3.1), Des Plaines (-2.7), Mt. Prospect (-1.9), and Arlington Heights (-1.6). Please refer to the 2000 – 2006 O’Hare Airport DNL Comparison Chart attached.
DNL is a noise measure used to describe average aircraft noise levels over a 24-hour period, typically an average day over the course of a year. It penalizes aircraft operations that occur between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. by 10 decibels to account for increased annoyance when ambient noise levels are lower and people are trying to sleep. It is currently the accepted measure for aircraft noise analysis.
A decibel level of 70 is about equivalent to the noise from a vacuum cleaner at 10 feet. A level of 60 is like normal speech at 3 feet, and a level of 50 like a dishwasher in the next room.
ONCC Chairperson, Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene J. Mulder, said the report affirms the effectiveness of the Chicago Airport System’s noise mitigation programs and the ONCC’s multifaceted approaches to address aircraft noise issues. “We are glad to see continuing progress in our efforts to mitigate the noise coming from O’Hare air traffic. We still have much work to do, but we truly appreciate the efforts and
contributions of many other stakeholders in realizing these noise decreases, including pilots, controllers, airline and maintenance managers,” Mulder said.
Historical DNL Values - 2000 to 2006
November 10, 2006
Residential Sound
Insulation program Focused on the Future
The
O’Hare Residential Sound Insulation
Program is now firmly focused on the future — specifically 2013,
which is the year being used by the FAA for projecting a
new
aircraft noise contour around O’Hare. The contour is based on the
reconfiguration of the runway layout under the O’Hare
Modernization Program (OMP).
After years of making its voice
heard on behalf of area residents during the environmental impact
process for the OMP, the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission (ONCC)
was given specific responsibilities by the FAA as the airport is
reshaped. Among those responsibilities outlined in
FAA’s Record of Decision
on the OMP is continued oversight of the residential sound insulation
program as it is positioned to address the areas around the airport
where aircraft noise is likely to occur as new runways are constructed.
Beginning with the 2006
insulation program, eligible single-family and multi-family residential
buildings will be insulated in areas projected by the FAA to be affected
by aircraft noise upon completion of the OMP. (See
ONCC Resolution 2006-3) That means for the first time, in many
areas, the O’Hare Residential Sound Insulation Program will be
addressing noise issues in advance. Historically the program worked to
mitigate the impact of existing noise, only. It should be noted that
while multi-family homes will be included in the program, the 2006 phase
will include only buildings up to four-units. Technical issues must be
addressed before larger residential complexes can be included in the
program.
2013 Noise Contour
Eligible residences are those
that experience a yearly average day-night noise level (“DNL”) increase
of 1.5 decibels or more within the 65 DNL or greater contour in the
projected noise contour map for the OMP, or which are newly within the
65 DNL or greater noise contour according to the projected noise contour
map for the OMP.
A preliminary list of eligible
residences for the 2006 insulation program is available by
clicking here.
While some aspects of the O’Hare
Residential Sound Insulation Program are new, the standards of fairness
used by the ONCC in overseeing the program since 1997 remain unchanged.
Homes continue to be insulated on a “worst-first” basis, and block
rounding remains an important part of the program to make sure that all
homes on the same block are sound insulated even if some do not fall
within the contour.
The look and sound of O’Hare is
changing. The ONCC is ready to meet the challenges as an advocate and
resource for O’Hare area residents.
For additional information please follow
these links:
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February 29, 2008
Four Schools Participate in 2007 School Sound Insulation Program
The O’Hare School Sound Insulation Program
continued advancing during 2007 to include more schools in noise testing and possible consideration for funding.
The Program is the largest of its kind in the world. It is operated and funded by the City of Chicago with monies from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AlP), the Passenger Facilities Charge (PFC) and Non-Passenger Facility Charges. It is overseen by the ONCC through its School Sound Insulation Committee, which is chaired by School District 86 Superintendent Dr. Raymond J. Kuper.
Through December 2007, the program included 115 schools either completed or in some phase of sound insulation. More than $285 million have been spent to effectively sound insulate schools around O’Hare International Airport.
Consistent with FAA guidelines, the following schools qualified for potential funding based on the results of the 2007 Monitoring Program:
Ebinger Elementary School, Chicago
Hitch Elementary School, Chicago
Farnsworth Elementary School, Chicago
Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School, Park Ridge
While being ranked is an important step in securing funding for sound insulation work, it is not a guarantee that funding will be available for a specific school for either the design phase or actual sound insulation work.
More information about the 2007 O’Hare School Monitoring Program can be obtained by clicking here.
December 7, 2007
ONCC Chairperson Testifies at “Aviation and the Environment: Noise” Hearing
On Wednesday, October 24, 2007, a special hearing was held on October 24, 2007 on “Aviation and the Environment: Noise”
ONCC Chairperson and Arlington Heights, IL Mayor Arlene J. Mulder gave testimony before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Aviation Subcommittee.
This Committee is chaired by Illinois Congressman Jerry Costello.
Committee members and panelists responded favorably to the ONCC’s approaches to addressing aircraft noise, and its support for noise-related initiatives. Mayor Mulder articulated the need for Congressional support for the Federal Aviation Administration’s focus on NextGen, which defines the FAA’s priorities for environment, safety, security, and other aspects of aviation thru 2025.
Mayor Mulder’s testimony before the Aviation Subcommittee can be accessed by clicking here
November 21, 2007
ONCC Members Briefed on OMP Progress
At the November 2, 2007 ONCC meeting, Michael Boland, first deputy director of the O'Hare Modernization Program, informed attendees that two runways are scheduled to open on November 20, 2008. One of the runways, 9L/27R, which will be located on the far northern end of O'Hare, has been under construction for months. It will parallel Touhy Avenue in Des Plaines and will mainly handle smaller jet aircraft landing from the east. The second runway, 10/28, will be an extension of an existing one that when finished will measure 13,000 ft., in length.
Once commissioned, the additional capacity provided by new Runway 9L/27R and the extension of Runway 10L will reduce O’Hare’s delays by at least 24%. Delays will be reduced by approximately 49% in the most frequently used bad weather airfield configuration. Boland added that the program is expected to add 195,000 new jobs and pump in $18 billion to the local economy.
The OMP presentation to the ONCC can be accessed here.
Boland also addressed plans for a new western access to the airport that will include the extension of the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway to the vicinity Thorndale Avenue and York Road.
More information on this project can be found by clicking here
March 25, 2007
Arlington Heights Mayor Honored for Contributions to Environmental Improvements at 2007 Symposium
Mayor Arlene J. Mulder of Arlington Heights, IL, Chairperson of the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission, has been honored with the 2007 Gillfillan Award, the University of California Davis, sponsor of the internationally renowned Aviation Noise and Air Quality Symposium, announced.
The award recognizing Mulder for her valuable contributions in addressing the environmental impacts of aviation was presented in conjunction with the 22nd Annual Symposium in Aviation Noise and Air Quality, held in San Francisco, CA, March 4-7, 2007. Nominees for the Gillfillan Award can come from any sector, including government, industry, non-profit, and community.
The special award was named in honor of the founder of the Symposium - aviation consultant, and former University of California Berkeley faculty member and facilitator Walter Gillfillan. Gillfillan received the inaugural award at the 2006 Symposium.
Gillfillan commented: “Mayor Mulder has been an active participant in the Symposium as not only a contributor at the program committee level but as a speaker and moderator. Mayor Mulder’s contributions over the years have been extremely important to making progress in the area of aviation noise reduction since she represents the community side of environmental issues. She is an extraordinary person who maintains excellent relationships with a variety of stakeholders, and is certainly well-deserving of this honor.”
Mulder indicated she was truly touched by the recognition, but she believed that the entire Commission was responsible for this award: “I am pleased and proud to receive this award, However, this recognition is truly a testament to the dedication and commitment of all of our members in working to improve the quality of life for residents near O’Hare International Airport.”
In 1997, Mayor Mulder was elected by other local government leaders in the Chicago area to serve as chair of the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission, a regional commission created to help solve the aircraft noise problems at the “World’s Busiest Airport.” She has been re-elected to that position every year since and is now an internationally recognized leader on aviation noise mitigation issues.
March 24, 2006
Noise Concerns Are Among Constraints on Aviation Growth Says New Report
 The O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission (ONCC)
today was told by an FAA official that continued efforts to reduce
aircraft noise are essential to the growth of air transportation in the
21st century. The FAA’s
Director of Environment and Energy Carl Burleson briefed the ONCC on a
new congressional report entitled “Aviation and the Environment,” which
concludes that “there is a compelling and urgent need to address the
environmental effects of air transportation.”
(View entire
presentation)
Burleson told
the ONCC that while there has been a 95 percent reduction in the number
of Americans impacted by aircraft noise in the last 35 years, progress
in further reducing aircraft noise has slowed. He also said that while
aircraft are 60 percent more fuel efficient today than they were three
decades ago, the strong growth in aviation has resulted in some aircraft
emissions increasing. The report concludes that concerns over the
adverse impacts of aircraft noise and emissions will place constraints
on air transportation, which in turn would ultimately threaten the
mobility, economic vitality and security of the nation.
The report
recommends to Congress a “National Vision for Aviation and the
Environment,” with a goal of absolute reductions in aircraft noise and
emissions by 2025. Burleson told the ONCC that there are great
opportunities for reducing noise impacts even sooner through flight
management tools to keep aircraft away from residential areas around
airports. For the past several months, the ONCC has been studying one
such tool, called RNAV, (Area Navigation) for possible use at O’Hare.
However,
Burelson noted that the air transportation system and the aviation
industry are complex and that there is no silver bullet to reduce
emissions and noise. He said that the report calls for a balanced
approach of both operational and policy changes.
The
52-page report was prepared by the Partnership for AiR Transportation
Noise and Emission Reduction, an FAA, NASA, and Transport Canada “Center
of Excellence” research organization at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The ONCC is a member of the organization’s advisory committee. “The
broad representation of 38 stakeholders, including the ONCC, makes this
report especially important,” Burleson said.
February 10, 2006
ONCC Officially Accepts Role in O’Hare Modernization
Program
The ONCC adopted a
resolution today formally accepting the Commission’s aircraft noise
mitigation role in the O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP) as directed in
the FAA’s Record of Decision
for the OMP. The Record of Decision was
issued on September 30, 2005. The FAA designated the ONCC to continue
overseeing the residential sound insulation program with a directive
that approximately 5,000 additional homes be insulated before the OMP is
completed.
In addition, the FAA charged the ONCC with
continued oversight of the O’Hare School Sound Insulation Program and
the Fly Quiet Program, as well as responsibilities for evaluating
changes to the Airport Noise Monitoring System and other
aircraft-related noise issues related to the reconfiguration of the
airport.
Dramatic Reductions in O'Hare
Aircraft
Noise Seen in New Video
Since 1979, there have been dramatic reductions in
aircraft noise for residents around O'Hare. However, because of how
people perceive changes in noise over time these reductions might
not be obvious.
Now there is a new graphical depiction that shows
exactly how the noise footprint around O'Hare has decreased in the
last 26 years. This decrease is due to several factors including
advancements in aircraft design, airline fleet mixes,
the Fly Quiet Program and the efforts of the City of Chicago and the
O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission to effectively address
aircraft noise issues.
Please click on the image below to start the video
demonstration.
The presentation is based on 65
DNL
and uses
Windows Media Player
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