Sound Insulation
8. Q: Was the cost for sound insulation included in the City’s projected Program Costs?
7. Q: What else will be done in addition to sound insulating the schools and residences?
6. Q: Will I get my home sound insulated when OMP is complete?
3. Q: Is there anything I can do on my own to alleviate the noise in my home?
2. Q: Will the eligibility criteria for the Residential Insulation Program (RSIP) ever change?
1. Q: Does my home qualify for sound insulation?
8. Q: Was the cost for sound insulation included in the City’s projected Program Costs?
FAA Response: The cost of sound insulation was included in the City’s projected “Other Program Costs” included in Table 1-11 of the EIS on page 1-54 (PDF).
7. Q: What else will be done in addition to sound insulating the schools and residences?
FAA Response: The FAA is always evaluating new technologies and procedures to reduce and mitigate aircraft noise. Aircraft noise is a natural outgrowth of our mobility, and the FAA has taken a number of steps in partnership with the aviation industry to reduce public exposure to aircraft noise over the past 20 years. Considerable effort has been expended to provide relief to noise impacted areas by funding noise compatibility projects under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Research continues on quieter engine technology, but it has not advanced to the point that would result in further aircraft noise reductions in the near future. Therefore, for the foreseeable future, noise mitigation measures and noise compatibility projects will be the principal means available to further reduce the number of people exposed to airport noise.
The FAA is also currently participating in the following programs:
- Partnership for AiR Transportation Noise and Emission Reduction (PARTNER): fosters breakthrough technological, operational, policy, and workforce advances for the betterment of mobility, economy, national security and the environment. PARTNER comprises nine universities, and 53 advisory board members. Its members include aerospace manufacturers, airlines, airports, national, state and local government, professional and trade associations, non-governmental organizations and community groups.
- Aircraft Engine Emissions: the databank contains information on exhaust emissions of aircraft engines that have entered production.
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
6. Q: Will I get my home sound insulated when OMP is complete?
FAA Response: The FAA has been issuing grants for the funding of residential sound insulation so that all homes within the Build Out contour will be insulated by the time Build Out (all runways complete) occurs. As a condition of the Record of Decision for O’Hare Modernization (ROD), at the time that Build Out occurs, the City will be required to generate a Build Out +5 contour based on forecasted air traffic five years after OMP completion and then sound insulate all eligible residences within that contour.
5. Q: Do the City of Chicago and FAA have the appropriate concern for school children and the quality of their education?
FAA Response: The FAA has partnered with the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) and O´Hare Noise Compatibility Commission (ONCC) to provide AIP and PFC funding for over 20 years for the school sound insulation program. This program is one of the world´s largest of its kind providing more than $205 million in AIP and PFC funds for 124 O´Hare area schools.
The FAA is committed to providing funding to support school sound insulation in accordance with the ONCC´s “worst first” policy. More details on this robust school sound insulation program and policy.
4. Q: What about Roosevelt school in Park Ridge, which is directly in the flight path of runway 9L/27R? How could this runway be completed and commissioned before Roosevelt school had been soundproofed?
FAA Response: There is no specific requirement to complete school sound insulating prior to runway commissioning. School sound insulation is funded based on the “worst first” policy adopted by ONCC. The policy ranks schools based on their DNL level and their interior Equivalent Sound Level (Leq). Roosevelt school sound insulation was completed in 2011.
3. Q: Is there anything I can do on my own to alleviate the noise in my home?
FAA Response: The City of Chicago prepared a “Sound Insulating Your Home” booklet to outline some available options that you can implement in your home to decrease the effects of aircraft noise. This booklet is available for homeowners surrounding the airport who are not eligible to participate in the Residential Sound Insulation Program.
2. Q: Will the eligibility criteria for the Residential Insulation Program (RSIP) ever change?
FAA Response: When the OMP is complete, the FAA has directed the City to prepare a new noise contour reflecting the aircraft noise impacts surrounding O’Hare based on forecasted traffic the fifth year after Build Out (all runways complete). If the new noise contour includes any additional homes inside the 65 DNL, these homes will become eligible for sound insulation. The City will contact those homeowners at that time.
1. Q: Does my home qualify for sound insulation?
FAA Response: When the FAA issued the ROD, the ROD identified the 65 DNL Build-Out Noise Contour as the noise contour to be used for sound insulation purposes. Each home must also meet additional eligibility criteria as established by the City and the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission.
If you cannot read a PDF file, please call (847) 294-7131, or email cmp@faa.gov.