Results of the strategic noise mapping
Table 2 to Table 6 show the results of the 2021 noise mapping for Aberdeen Airport. Maps showing the noise contours can also be found in Appendix A
The contours have been modelled by Arup using the Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT)10 version 3e and Aberdeen Airport fixed-wing and helicopter movement and radar track data for the 2021 annual period. The modelling was undertaken to meet the standards specified by the Civil Aviation Authority for aircraft noise modelling11
The effects of the surrounding topography have been modelled using OS Terrain 50 data from Ordnance Survey. The models have applied the actual modal split that occurred in 2021, with fixed wing aircraft departing to the south for 54% of the time and to the north for 46% of the time; and helicopters departing to the south for 59% of the time and to the north for 41% of the time.
Population and dwelling statistics for each of the noise contours have been estimated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency using 2021 Addressbase Plus data from Ordnance Survey and mid-2021 population estimates from the National Records of Scotland (NRS).
Population and dwelling counts have been rounded as follows:
• The number of dwellings has been rounded to the nearest 50, except when the number of dwellings is greater than zero but less than 50, in which case the total has been shown as “<50”.
• The associated population has been rounded to the nearest 100, except when the associated population is greater than zero but less than 100, in which case the total has been shown as “<100”.
For further information on the noise metrics and how they are derived please refer to Section 4.2. In accordance with the Environmental Noise (Scotland) 2006 regulations (as amended), for the Noise Action Plan these metrics are calculated over the full 2021 calendar year, rather than the 92-summer day period.
When comparing the results of the 2021 noise mapping to the 2016 noise mapping undertaken for the previous Noise Action Plan, it is important to note the reduced number of aircraft movements in 2021, primarily due to the ongoing industry recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic. There were approximately 62,900 aircraft and helicopter movements in 2021 compared to approximately 96,200 in 2016. This results in a smaller population within the noise contours, for example there were 16,150 people in the 55dBLden contour in 2016 compared to 4,700 in the same contour in 2021. However it should be noted that this reduction in population exposed has not resulted in any relaxation of our noise management proposals.