Airports’ Sustainable Efforts to Minimize Noise Impact
In the ever-changing world of aviation, it's so important to make sure that busy airports and their surrounding communities can live side by side in harmony.
Airports all over the globe are coming up with creative ways to tackle noise pollution. They're finding a way to keep their operations running smoothly while also being kind to the environment.
Frankfurt International Airport and Zurich Airport as examples of how we can all work together to reduce noise and take care of our planet.
Frankfurt International Airport has taken a step towards sustainability by incorporating green roofs into its infrastructure. These green roofs, with vegetation, serve a very special dual purpose. These green roofs are great for the environment in so many ways! They help to filter out pollutants and produce oxygen, and they also play a really important part in reducing noise. The lovely, green surfaces act as natural sound barriers, soaking up and softening the noise made by airport activities. This is great news for the local communities, who will benefit from reduced noise pollution. And it's wonderful to see that a healthier environment will be fostered for all!
The Zurich Airport have also embraced the concept of green roofs, and they've got 4000 square meters of green space atop their structures! This green roof is a wonderful addition to the airport, offering a tranquil area amidst the hustle and buzz of airport operations. The lovely green space is home to lots of different plants.
more info can be found on: https://una.city/nbs/zurich/green-roof-zurich-kloten-international-airport
By including nature in its design, Zurich Airport shows us how airports can help the environment while being good neighbours to the communities around them.
El Dorado Airport in Colombia has implemented a soil barrier with plants reaching a height of 5 meters. The combination of shrubs and this mound of dirt has the effect of reducing noise levels by approximately 6 decibels. However, this also creates an environment that is favorable to birds, which can pose a risk to the safety of aircraft operations.
It's so great to see these efforts in action! While they are really commendable, we should also recognize the challenges they bring. It's great that green spaces are being created within airport premises! However, this can inadvertently attract wildlife, particularly birds. This can be a big problem for aviation safety. Bird strikes can cause some serious damage to aircraft, so it's important to keep an eye out for this potential issue.
We all want to see green spaces in airports, but we also need to make sure that aviation safety is not put at risk. It's a delicate balancing act.
Some physics and engineering solutions are available to face this challenges with artificial fences, some of them are:
A metal fence functions as a barrier that obstructs the direct path of sound waves from the noise source to the receiver (e.g., nearby communities).
Absorbing Materials: It is essential to utilize absorbing materials in order to effectively mitigate the noise that passes through or is reflected by the steel fence. These materials are typically designed to convert sound energy into heat.
The geometry of the fence and absorbing materials is a crucial factor in noise reduction. Special geometric designs can be used to scatter sound waves, reduce direct reflection, and increase the path length for sound waves, which helps to dissipate their energy further.
As we applaud these airports for their impressive progress in sustainability, it's so important to remember that safety is always the top priority. Thankfully, there are some great ways to make airports safer for birds and other wildlife. Using clever tech like artificial fences with sound weakening properties, as and habitat management plans can help us keep our airports safe while still being kind to nature. By combining their commitment to the environment with cutting-edge technology, airports can keep leading the way in sustainable practices while making sure they meet the highest safety standards.
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