Environmental Analysis Tools and Guidance
Environmental Analysis of Air Traffic Actions
The Airspace Rules and Regulations Team works to ensure that current guidance, tools, and methodologies are available and are used appropriately for assessing environmental impacts of air traffic actions in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and FAA Agency regulations. For more information, visit the Applicable Environmental Regulations and Policy page.
For FAA air traffic airspace and procedure actions, the Aviation Environmental Design Tool (AEDT) is the latest approved model. For more information on AEDT visit the AEDT support website
Noise Screening Tools and Methodologies
Aircraft noise screening may rule out the need for more detailed noise analysis and provide documented support for a Categorical Exclusion (CATEX) if screening shows no potential for significant noise impacts. The FAA has multiple noise screening tools (NSTs) and methodologies. The FAA-Approved screening tools listed below are used for screening of air traffic airspace and procedure actions.
- Guidance for Noise Screening of Air Traffic Actions (PDF)
This document contains a set of tests and techniques that can be used for evaluating route or procedure changes. The tests are listed in order of complexity and provide "quick but conservative results and require input of minimal amount of data" These initial screening tests are generally used for very minor or simple changes and can help to determine if more complex analysis is necessary.
The Terminal Area Routing Generation, Evaluation and Traffic Simulation (TARGETS) Tool with the AEDT Environmental Plugin
For use with Performance Based Navigation Procedures, this Plug-in allows the procedure designers to evaluate prospective procedures for potential noise impacts during the design phase. The tool is designed to identify the following noise level changes:
- For DNL 65 dB and higher ±1.5 dB
- For DNL 60 dB to 65 dB ± dB
- For DNL 45 dB to 60 dB