Assessment on the permittance of noise impact levels from the expansion of Batu Berendam Airport, Malacca, Malaysia

Abstract

The expansion of existing Batu Berendam Airport, Malacca, Malaysia is required to provide more employment and generate activities that would produce reasonable economic benefits to the community. However, it also has a negative impact as it creates an unavoidable problem for the community since they could be exposed to loud and annoying noises. The noises generated from two main sources: the fixed-wing aircraft operations and ground operations. Accordingly, this study conducted to assess the potential noise impact on the community upon its entire operation when the expansion completed. The environmental noise parameters such as the equivalent sound level (Leq) and day-night sound level (Ldn) were used to verify permittance of noise levels. In fact, with the possible introduction of fixed-wing aircrafts, a cumulative effect of the noises will also affect the surrounding area. Therefore, consideration on the runaway length of this airport must be count up to provide safe landings and takeoffs by future aircrafts as well as the consideration of buffer zone at the end of the runaway in order to minimize the impact to the surrounding residents.