Noise assessment and mitigation schemes for Hurghada airport

Abstract

In recent years, concern over airport noise and its impact on surrounding communities has been spurred by a continual growth in air traffic together with urban development in close proximity to many airports around the world. This paper aims at studying the case of Hurghada airport, Egypt, with a focus on evaluating, both theoretically and practically, the airport noise and its impact on the city of Hurghada. Extensive field measurements of aircraft noise were undertaken at key locations in the city, including points lying within the premises of the Hurghada airport. The aircraft noise was also modeled using the integrated noise model (INM) in order to simulate the current and future noise levels based upon the anticipated steady increase in flight operations. Such forecasts are of particular importance for Hurghada as the number of flights is expected to grow steadily over the next decade, accompanied with an increase in urban growth for coastal resorts. Based on the actual measurements and computer simulation, noise mitigation schemes are suggested to alleviate current and future impacts. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.