^{Figure 1. Location of Catania Airport}

Catania Airport is the 6th largest airport in Italy in terms of passenger volume, with over 9 million passengers, 6700 tonnes of cargo and 68000 flights in 2017. The airport has only one runway and is located 5 km away from the City of Catania.

The airport is located within the governance of the Catania City Council, however, the aircraft are mainly operating over the territory of Misterbianco, where no residential buildings are present.

Noise regulations

From a legislative point of view, the noise zoning system with noise maps was approved in 2005 by the Commission ex Article 5 of D.M. 31 October 1997 and Catania Council’s acoustic classification plan was approved on 4 March 2013. The airport complies with all Italian legislative requirements for noise impact assessment.

Additionally, in 2017, Catania Airport started drawing noise maps by using Integrated Noise Model software. The airport is monitoring its noise using three fixed and one mobile noise monitoring sites located within the airport’s land (see Figure 2).

^{Figure 2. Noise monitoring sites with the airport’s territory (source, page 7)}

This case study focuses on the legislation of a noise zoning system and the implementation of noise maps. It also focuses on the acoustic classification of land use planning of Catania Council, which is based on noise maps (see Figure 3 and Figure 4).

^{Figure 3. Aircraft noise around the communities in the daytime}

^{Figure 4. Aircraft noise around the communities in the night-time}

Objective

This case study aims to prepare binding maps that include the noise factor to validate that no building, which is used as a household, school, hospital, etc., is located between the noise zones higher than 60 dbA.

Approach

The selected approach for this case study was noise monitoring and the preparation of binding maps, which would later determine incompatible or evaluation-needed land around the airport for further use by referring to the noise level.

1. In 2003, a legislative document was published, which determined that it is mandatory to define biding zones in airports' proximity. It would prevent obstacles and protect the airport as well as the public safety;
2. As a result of the legislation, binding maps were generated to govern and safely manage the land and airport operations that were mainly related to safety reasons;
3. In order to include the noise impact in these binding maps, a detailed study has been carried out for different residential properties, which were located at the edge of noise zones between 60 dbA and 65 dbA. Several buildings were placed very near to the relevant noise contours, therefore, the airport wanted to assess the level of noise at the buildings and specify their purpose of use;
4. Finally, another study was carried out for some particular buildings using noise measurements. The detailed monitoring activity revealed lower levels of noise than those that were modelled, providing evidence that those buildings were not subjected to the restrictive legislation.

This case study showcases the importance of accurate input data in order to refine and improve modelling results, as well as the vital role of site-specific monitoring activities. Currently, Catania Airport performs regular site monitoring using mobile systems in order to validate modelling results continually.