Gatwick Airport launches community noise lab

Gatwick Airport has launched the UK’s first community noise lab – an interactive online tool designed to help local people more accurately monitor aircraft noise.

The gateway says the noise lab is modelled on a similar tool introduced by Amsterdam Airport Schiphol – the first of its kind in the world – and provides members of the public with better overflight information.

Gatwick hopes this will provide a clearer picture of emerging trends and help with the development of longer-term noise mitigation measures.

The new tool was developed with input from local council environmental health officers and GATCOM – Gatwick’s Consultative Committee. It uses live data from a network of on-the-ground noise monitors to produce community noise reports.

The innovative tool was developed by Casper, an IT company specialising in the development of real-time location-based monitoring and analysis tools.

Gatwick’s head of corporate responsibility, Tom Denton says: “This noise lab provides up-to-date flight tracking information which will help us to more accurately monitor concerns and, in time, consider options for further noise mitigation measures.

“We recognise aircraft noise is a real problem for some people and we are determined to do what we can to minimise the amount we generate and mitigate against its effects. This lab is just one of a number of measures we’re introducing, to better understand people’s concerns.”