Noise at Luton

Published information

The main source of information about the noise generated by aircraft using Luton Airport is contained in the Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) which is published jointly by the operator, LLAOL, and Luton Borough Council (LBC). These can be obtained from both organisations’ web sites (click link above).

The AMR reports the following noise information:

• Summary data from the 3 noise monitors, one to the east and 2 to the west, which record the sound levels of departing flights. The peak noise measurements (L_Amax) are presented separately for the night (23:00 to 06:00, 07:00 on Sundays) and day periods during which different limits apply;
• Average noise (L_eq) contours for the standard 92 summer days. These are estimated by the INM computer model and are produced for the 16-hour day period and the 8-hour night at 3 dB(A) intervals. The contour areas together with the numbers of dwellings and the population living within the contours are estimated and compared with data from earlier years. Night noise contours are also produced for each calendar quarter; and
• Analyses of the noise complaints received from the public, giving the locations and general causes of complaints.

The AMR also contains information about passenger and flight numbers, aircraft types operating, routes and the runway operating mode (east/west).

In December 2007, the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) published the noise maps for all qualifying UK airports which are required to comply with the European Union’s noise regulations. The indicators for these contours are L_den and L_night (see About Noise for explanations of the various indicators). At present the contour area and population data required by the regulations have not been published.

Future Projections

While Luton was being promoted for significant expansion, a number of predictions of the L_eq contours were published by both the Government and the Airport operator, LLAOL. As there are no current, published proposals for expansion, these have limited value. Contact us by email if you wish to be directed to the sources of these.

LADACAN’s Noise Maps

Those affected by aircraft noise seem to perceive it differently from the way it is depicted in official average noise (L_eq) figures which include the quiet periods between ’planes. The public experiences aircraft noise as individual noisy events and often submits complaints to the Airport about these. The vast majority of complaints come from locations well outside the published noise contours.

For this reason, measures of the numbers of noise events, such as N₇₀ (as used by Sydney Airport in Australia), are thought to provide a better indication of noise disturbance. Low-cost sound level meters available from electrical stores are able to measure the maximum noise levels (L_Amax) needed to produce plots of these contours.

To establish the boundaries within which the most common aircraft operating at Luton can be expected to cause significant disturbance, two members of LADACAN decided to undertake a study using these hand held meters. The intention was to establish contours within which the maximum noise levels are likely to exceed 70 dB(A), depending upon the precise track of the aircraft. Outside this area, noise events above 70 dB(A) should occur only rarely.

This level was chosen because:

• it would correspond to the N₇₀=0 contour;
• it is comfortably above the level (65 dB(A)) above which noise is known to interrupt normal conversation; and
• it is the lowest level reported by the Airport operator for departing aircraft at its monitoring points.

The mapping was carried out for 4 types of movements: easterly take-offs and landings, and westerly take-offs and landings. Only measurements of noise produced by Boeing 737 and Airbus A319/A320 aircraft were included in the exercise as these are by far the most common types flying at Luton which dominate the published average noise contours and they can easily be identified from the colours of easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz.

The map below shows the contours produced for the 4 modes of Airport operation. We have overlaid the counts of complaints from the 2005 Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) to demonstrate that our contours relate more closely to the public’s concerns than do the official average noise (L_eq) contours(shown in solid black).

Right-click on the map to download a high resolution (3.7 MB) copy of our map (choose “Save target as . . “).

Can you help?

There is a limit to the number of measurements which we can undertake. We have already received data from residents of areas beyond our contours which suggest that they need to be widened.

If you have a sound level meter, or intend to buy one, we would be pleased to receive data from you. Please see the technical page for meter specifications and settings.

Luton & District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise - site updated 03 February, 2010