Conducting a potential study on active noise abatement

Mobility and globalisation are shaping our lives more than ever before. Long-distance travelling is just as commonplace today as international business relationships. However, intensive traffic also brings with it some undesirable side effects, such as traffic noise, which particularly affects people living near important transport hubs such as Frankfurt Airport. Active noise abatement is one of several strategies to minimise aircraft noise pollution in the Frankfurt area. Active noise abatement starts directly at the source of the noise. This includes, for example, endeavouring to make aircraft quieter. Other active noise abatement measures are aimed at developing quieter approach and departure procedures or diverting aircraft so that less noise reaches local residents. Active noise abatement is one of the most promising strategies for minimising noise pollution without massively restricting airport operations. For this reason, an interdisciplinary team of experts from affected institutions, companies and local authorities has been working at the Frankfurt site since 2008 to develop and test suitable measures. The work of the "Expert Committee on Active Noise Abatement" (ExpASS) is based on a joint declaration adopted by the Hessian state government and the aviation industry in December 2007. The committee is organised by the Forum Airport and Region (FFR), the neutral platform for the cooperation of all important players with their different interests and responsibilities - from the airlines to the surrounding municipalities, from the airport operator to the aircraft noise protection officer of the state of Hesse.