The air transport demand for passengers and freights continues to increase throughout the world because of the reactions of economic globalization. Generally, the operation of aircraft generates excessive noise which is noticeably louder than any othe...
The air transport demand for passengers and freights continues to increase throughout the world because of the reactions of economic globalization. Generally, the operation of aircraft generates excessive noise which is noticeably louder than any other traffic noise and affects negative impacts on residential environments. The aircraft noise that is generated by Gimpo International Airport aggravates quality of life in Gimpo and nearby cities.
Recently, Korean government enacted ‘Airport Noise Prevention and Areas Assistance Law’ to reduce aircraft noise and to promote the welfare of residents. Under the legislation, the government provides various policies, such as airport noise countermeasure projects, resident support projects and so on. However, the government faces limitations to improve residents’ annoyance induced by aircraft noise exposure due to the inflexible and inefficient government policies. The purpose of this research is to analyze aircraft noise issues by reviewing the aviation law and case studies and to assess the annoyance of residents and the satisfaction of government policies with a survey focus group. Through the investigations, this research will suggest legislation improvement plans for aircraft noise and provides efficient policies.
City of Seoul enacted the Noise Codes for reducing aircraft noise and tries to establish community support center for the Area of Requiring Countermeasures against Noise. Moreover, Jeju province begins to provide residents with the benefits of cable television subscription fee, school bus operating expenses support and hearing aid as the compensation of the aircraft noise. According to the survey results of Bucheon, Gimpo, and Gwangmyeong, those residents who live nearby airports are excessively exposed to the aircraft noise that gives rise to negative impacts on their everyday lives. For these reasons, the residents are dissatisfied with the aircraft noise policies. Thus, it is necessary for institutional improvement and effective promotional strategies about the policies of aircraft noise.
Korean government should support federal budget into local governments, including Bucheon, Gimpo, and Gwangmyeong to establish the community support center for the Area of Requiring Countermeasures against Noise that can reduce the level of aircraft noise. Furthermore, the integration of operating community support centers for the Area of Requiring Countermeasures against Noise of Gyeonggi province and city of Seoul is needed to manage aircraft noise efficiently. In the long run, it is necessary to create independent organization, sustaining stable management for reducing aircraft noise. Therefore, the Korean government should establish realistic and detailed mid to long term plans by reforming the Airport Noise