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September 29, 2008

ONCC Noise Compatibility Commission Symposium “Breaking Sound Barriers”

You are invited to attend the first-ever, free symposium on aviation noise and land use compatibility sponsored by the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission on Friday, October 24 at the Hyatt Rosemont Hotel in Rosemont, Ill.

Entitled “Breaking Sound Barriers: Talking the Talk about Aircraft Noise,” the all-day event will feature key stakeholders in airport management, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) experts, community leaders and aviation consultants. These experts will present realistic approaches to lessening aircraft noise in communities surrounding airports while encouraging economic stability and growth.

Learn how manufacturers are striving to reduce the intensity of a sonic boom in the FAA’s inaugural presentation and panel discussion to raise public awareness about technological advances in civil supersonic aircraft technology. Experience a “boom” by walking through the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation’s supersonic boom simulator that will be located outside the hotel.

Take advantage of this invigorating meeting while networking with colleagues and experts in an informal setting. You will find further details about the symposium on the enclosed flyer and registration form. If you have any questions, please call 773-686-3198 or e-mail bgilligan@ohare.com

Registration Form

Symposium Agenda

June 27, 2008

2008 O'Hare Nighttime Construction Program

From time to time routine maintenance must be performed on the runways and taxiways at O'Hare International Airport. Due to operational safety restrictions this work is usually done in the overnight hours. Also, this work occasionally forces a closure of runways and changes normal departure and arrival patterns for aircraft. The Chicago Department of Aviation publishes reports on this maintenance work to keep residents around the airport aware of possible changes in operations patterns.

The latest such information is available at the following link:

2008 O'Hare Construction Awareness Program

May 16, 2008

2007 ONCC Annual Report Now Available

The O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission’s (ONCC) 2007 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.

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.

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:

O'Hare Modernization Program www.oharemodernization.org

O'Hare Property Locator - www.ohare.com/cnrc/ohare/ohareresidential.htm

ONCC Responsibilities - http://www.oharenoise.org/Documents/ROD_noise_factsheet.pdf

September 1, 2008

O'Hare Residential Sound Insulation Program Kicks in to High Gear

The O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission (ONCC) recently announced that it will increase residential sound insulation of homes impacted by the O'Hare Modernization Program (OMP) by 43 percent in 2008. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently added $18 million in grant funds to the aggressive project, with the City of Chicago matching monies through Passenger Facility Charges (PFCs).

"Last year we had a substantial commitment of $21.6 million in funding," said Frank Damato, ONCC Residential Sound Insulation Committee Chairperson. "We strongly support the increase in the number of homes to be insulated by approximately 330 to 1,000 total. We know this economy has put a lot of constraints on budget items, but we are optimistic that additional monies will come through to make these added homes sound-insulated and increase the quality of life for O'Hare area neighbors."

Park Ridge is one of the communities that has already received an allocation of homes and will be eligible for additional homes in the future. "Right now 75 homes in the northern portion of Park Ridge have qualified for and received sound proofing," commented Alderman Donald Bach of Park Ridge. "Our residents are grateful to ONCC, the FAA and the City of Chicago for their dedication and hard work to mitigate aircraft noise in our community. With another new noise monitor in Park Ridge, we will be able to have a good, solid baseline to measure and compare noise regarding the ongoing O'Hare expansion. We are confident the south end of our city will receive the same consideration for residential sound insulation."

Residential sound insulation construction starts again this summer on eligible single-family and multi-family homes in areas where the FAA indicates homes will be most affected by aircraft noise upon OMP's completion. The FAA assigned ONCC specific responsibilities as O'Hare Airport is reconfigured, which include continued oversight of communities impacted by aircraft noise as new runways are constructed.

What began as a 10-home demonstration project in 1995 by the City of Chicago is now a partnership with the FAA, the City of Chicago and the ONCC with a total of 6,100 homes sound-insulated already and an additional 6,000 housing units slated to be completed by the full buildout of the OMP.

"We know we raised the bar by increasing the homes we want sound-insulated for the 2008 Program," said Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene J. Mulder, ONCC chairperson. "Completion of the first phase of the O'Hare Modernization Program is just a short five months away and the 2014 completion year is just six years from now. That's a lot of work in a short amount of time in order to ensure a high quality of life for those living within the new noise contour of O'Hare Airport."

Communities earmarked for sound insulation for the 2008 Program Year include: Schiller Park with 354 multi-unit residences; Park Ridge with 9 multi-unit residences; Bensenville with 232 multi-unit residences; Chicago with 434 multi-unit residences.

May 12, 2008

ONCC Welcomes 43nd Member – Village of Itasca

The members of the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission unanimously approved the Village of Itasca for membership at its May 4, 2008 meeting. Itasca Mayor Claudia "Gigi" Gruber and Trustee Ron Putzell will represent Itasca on the ONCC. Itasca is the 43nd ONCC member.

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 21^st 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