Assessment of Aircraft Noise in a Neighborhood Near the Airport

The growth of development, daily activities by the community and even land, air and water transportation noises may contribute to the environmental noise problem to the community. The source of the aircraft noise in the vicinity of an airport in Butterworth has been a major problem to the human health. Thus, this study focuses on the monitoring of aircraft noise at the low-density residential area, which is Taman Udara, Butterworth, Penang as it is situated less than three kilometers from the airport and thus any aircraft related activities can be directly heard. The noise measurement was carried out for 12 h monitoring during the day time using a precision Sound Level Meter (SLM) Class One to obtain the equivalent sound level (LAeq), Lmax, Lmin, L10, L50 and L90. Each of the 13 different characteristics of the sampling points was taken for 1 h (the sound level meter recorded every one-second noise level) in the study area. The results of LAeq value obtained from an environmental noise measurement at Taman A were analyzed descriptively and statistically. Different areas or sampling points would have different characteristics; therefore, different noise exposure limits would be obtained. The results revealed that the LAeq obtained at the low-density residential areas ranges from 51.9 to 77.9 dB(A) thus exceeded the exceeded the permissible sound level (LAeq) which is stated at 50 dB(A) during daytime according to the Planning Guidelines for Receiving Land Use for Planning and New Development for Environmental Noise Limits and Control. This research is very useful to be used as reference and guideline for future regulations on noise limits to be implemented in Malaysia and thus a more sustainable city without noise pollution will be realized.