Generating airport noise maps with impact: Sabiha Gokcen Airport case study

With the increasing demand for air transportation, the number of air traffic operations has also been on the rise. This growth has led to significant impacts on individuals living near airports, especially those located close to residential areas, due to the noise generated by aircraft. Exposure to airport noise can result in several adverse effects, including reduced quality of life, headaches, anxiety, depression, and increased stress levels. This study aims to develop noise maps for Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), one of the busiest airports in Turkey, currently located within a densely populated urban area. Real traffic data related to landing and take-off operations at SAW for a specific day were collected from FlightRadar24 to construct a comprehensive dataset. Using this dataset, noise maps were generated based on the IMPACT noise model developed by the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol), considering the airport's existing runway thresholds. The resulting maps were analyzed to assess the impact of aircraft noise on surrounding areas, including residential zones, public institutions, and shared community spaces. Based on these analyses, a detailed evaluation of noise exposure was conducted, offering insights into the environmental noise implications associated with airport operations.