A device smaller than a chocolate bar has exponentially multiplied the number of aircraft noise complaints transmitted to the Massachusetts Port Authority from residents near Hanscom Field.
The inventor of the so-called Airnoise button described the product, its history, and growth, during a virtual meeting of the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission on Feb. 15.
Chris McCann explained that users press the Airnoise button when they hear a plane overhead, and the device then utilizes GPS positioning data to locate and then query data on the nearest aircraft. The data are then correlated to determine the specific flight that is the most likely cause of the noise and used to create a complaint sent to the FAA, he continued.
He emphasized that the button does not interact or interfere with air traffic and that the button corresponds directly to its unique user account.
McCann recounted that in 2016 he noticed his southern California neighbors complaining about air noise for the first time, resulting from new flight routes. He said the vague nature of residents’ complaints made it difficult for airport authorities to respond to complaints and collect accurate data.
McCann said he relied upon his skills as both a pilot and architect to formulate a plan to address the needs of residents and airport authorities alike. He realized that the bulk of the complaints arose from specific neighborhoods.
He explained that Airnoise allows residents to obtain specific data regarding the noise that they’re experiencing. Residents can then become actively involved in finding solutions by sharing this data with their neighbors and local officials.
He specifically designed the Airnoise system to allow residents to access data efficiently at their own convenience by using the button. Potential users can join online and the button can be purchased on Airnoise’s website.
Bedford Select Board member Emily Mitchell expressed concern that since Airnoise has gained popularity in Bedford noise complaints have increased, with certain residents making up to several hundred complaints per month. She asked if the button could be pressed inadvertently or malfunction from overuse to trigger complaints automatically.
McCann assured her that is not the case and explained that if two complaints are made from the same account within 10 minutes of one another one of the complaints will automatically be disregarded. He also confirmed that the website limits the number of complaints permitted to each account.
He stressed that the system is designed to balance residents’ need to express their complaints and the need to avoid overuse or abuse. Mitchell said that she was relieved to learn that there was no malfunction in the system causing the increased complaints.
Jennifer Boles of Bedford asked if users can designate that their complaints only be applied to specific airports. McCann explained that the system will direct complaints to the nearest airport by default.
She also asked if it is possible to track aircraft ground noise during takeoffs and landings. He said noise complaints can only be triggered by flights that are at least 400 feet in the air. He agreed that ground noise can be a problem and said that he would like to begin creating a strategy that would allow residents to address their ground noise concerns as well.
Chris Boles asked if the complaint data is used to establish a pattern of complaints within a geographic area. McCann answered that such data could be generated, but “may prove unwieldy”. Boles followed up by asking if such data would raise privacy concerns, but McCann concluded that this would not be an issue in high-density areas. He added that if such data did prove to be a privacy risk it would not be released to the public.
Thomas Hirsch of Bedford, who represents pilots as a commission member, noted that the type of aircraft causing the noise is not included in the reports that the commission receives. McCann stated that while this data would not be made publicly available to users, it could be provided to the commission upon request.
Commission Chair Christopher Eliot of Lincoln agreed that the data McCann described would be more useful, as current data is focused upon those filing the complaints rather than the content of the complaints. McCann assured the commission that specific flight information would not be publicly disclosed in order to avoid privacy concerns.
Dan Henry asked if nearby terrain is taken into account in determining flight data. McCann confirmed that terrain is one of several criteria that are accounted for in the data and listed in the complaints. Henry also asked if it is possible to file complaints against multiple airports if your neighborhood is on multiple air routes and McCann answered that this can be arranged by request.
Airnoise.io has found success across the country, particularly in McCann’s native San Diego, the inventor said, and has become increasingly popular with the increase in cargo flights for companies like Amazon. While he stressed that this is a local, user-centered, system he also expressed hopes that the product’s use will continue to grow in the U.S. and Canada.
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