How aircraft noise impact management can improve residents' quality of life – A field study

The EU research project Aviation Noise Impact Management through Novel Approaches (ANIMA) aims to develop new methods and instruments for reducing aircraft noise impact and enhancing the quality of life (QoL) of residents near airports. The focus of the current study is to identify those aspects that improve residents’ QoL, based on existing interventions implemented by airports, the aviation industry, or public authorities. Four different European Airport regions (in France, Germany, The Netherlands, and UK) were chosen to investigate the impact of different interventions, such as sound insulation schemes and a dialogue forum, on residents’ QoL. Focus groups and in-depth interviews were carried out at three airport locations to get a comprehensive and thorough understanding of the specific interventions, if and how these are perceived by residents, and which aspects of these interventions have an impact on their QoL. Further, existing data from a survey conducted around Schiphol Airport was re-analysed, indicating which aspects of residents’ living environment are most relevant comparing three noise contours. In this contribution, the procedure and the results of the study are described and discussed.