United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2007-10-24 monographic deposited born digital 38 p. GA 1.13:GAO-08-216T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-216T P0b002ee1803979df f:d08216t DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-23 GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-216T machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-216T GAO-08-216T Air traffic control systems Aircraft Aircraft engines Aircraft industry Aircraft research Airports Aviation Commercial aviation Federal funds International airspace law Land use Program management Regulatory agencies Research and development Standards Next Generation Air Transportation System Testimony A77549

To address projected increases in air traffic and current problems with aviation congestion and delays, the Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO), an interagency organization within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is working to plan and implement a new air traffic management system, known as the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). This effort involves implementing new technologies and air traffic control procedures, airspace redesign, and infrastructure developments, including new or expanded runways and airports. Community opposition is, however, a major challenge, largely because of concerns about aviation noise. As a result, according to JPDO, aviation noise will be a primary constraint on NextGen unless its effects can be managed and mitigated. GAO's requested testimony addresses (1) the key factors that affect communities' level of exposure to aviation noise, (2) the status of efforts to address the impact of aviation noise, and (3) major challenges and next steps for reducing and mitigating the effects of aviation noise. The testimony is based on prior GAO work (including a 2000 survey of the nation's 50 largest airports), updated with reviews of recent literature, FAA data and forecasts, and interviews with officials from FAA and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), industry and community representatives, and aviation experts. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-216T/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-216T.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-216T/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-216T.pdf GAO-08-216T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-216T Testimony GAO-08-216T; Aviation and the Environment: Impact of Aviation Noise on Communities Presents Challenges for Airport Operations and Future Growth of the National Airspace System; Air traffic control systems Aircraft Aircraft engines Aircraft industry Aircraft research Airports Aviation Commercial aviation Federal funds International airspace law Land use Program management Regulatory agencies Research and development Standards Next Generation Air Transportation System Title 1949 Section 47504 1949 U.S.C. 47504 Title 914 Part 36and 91 914 CFR Part 36and 91