From 2023, Aircraft Noise Measurement Unit Changes to Decibel (dB)

On the 9th, the Amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Airport Noise Prevention Act Passed the Cabinet Meeting

[Asia Economy Reporter Kangwook Cho] The unit for measuring aircraft noise will change to ‘LdendB’ starting in 2023.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that the amendment to the ‘Enforcement Decree of the Act on Prevention of Airport Noise and Support for Noise Countermeasure Areas,’ which includes changes to the aircraft noise measurement unit and preferential treatment for local businesses in noise-affected areas, passed the Cabinet meeting on the 9th.

Once this amendment is promulgated, the unit for measuring aircraft noise at civilian airports will change from the current ‘WECPNL’ to LdendB, which is similar to the decibel (dB) used for other transportation modes such as roads and railways, as well as for everyday noise, starting January 1, 2023.

The Ministry explained that the WECPNL unit, which calculates noise by measuring the maximum noise levels and frequency during day and night, was criticized for not reflecting residents’ perceived noise levels as well as the LdendB unit, which measures the average noise energy during day and night periods. With the change in noise units, aircraft noise levels will be easier to compare with noise from other transportation modes or everyday noise, and easier to understand, according to the Ministry.

The Ministry plans to announce six airports (Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae, Jeju, Ulsan, Yeosu) as noise countermeasure areas where the new noise unit will be applied for damage support projects after additional research by regional aviation offices next year.

Additionally, the amendment establishes detailed criteria for airport operators to give preferential treatment to small and medium-sized enterprises located in noise-affected areas around airports.

Companies located in noise countermeasure areas and nearby regions will be given preferential treatment by airport operators in construction works, electrical, communication, and fire-fighting works, manufacturing and purchasing of goods, and service contracts compared to companies in other regions.

Joo Jong-wan, Director of Airport Policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated, "We plan to proactively manage aircraft noise to reduce noise damage around airports and continuously promote noise countermeasure projects tailored to residents’ needs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.