Tetra Tech Hosts the SAE International Committee on Aviation Noise and Emissions

Tetra Tech hosted the biannual meeting of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International A-21 Committee on Aircraft Noise Measurement and Aircraft Noise/Aviation Emission Modeling on June 12 and 13, 2019, in Arlington, Virginia. The committee includes leading international experts in the modeling and measurement of aircraft noise and air emissions and supports the International Civil Aviation Organization Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (ICAO CAEP). The two-day meeting delved into the impacts of new aircraft technologies and solutions to mitigate the noise and emissions to ensure continued success.

Among the topics discussed were the environmental impacts of new entrants such as drones, urban air mobility vehicles, and supersonic aircraft. These new aircraft will significantly change air transportation in the near future. Drones and urban air taxis are being considered for a wide range of uses, including package delivery, surveying, and short-distance passenger flights. In this emerging market, the environmental impacts are unique and still a subject of research and study. The committee discussed methods to measure and model the noise impacts of these new types of aircraft. They also discussed the latest technology and best practices in acoustics and air emissions.

Tetra Tech’s Clint Morrow, aviation and environmental programs expert and SAE committee member, presented and participated at the meeting along with 30 committee members from across the globe. Committee members represented industry; government agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); and the research community.

Using the innovative noise analysis capabilities of our Volans software, Tetra Tech is Leading with Science® by rapidly evaluating community noise exposure and supporting better flight procedure designs. Its 3D visualization capabilities are used by the FAA and airports to communicate about air traffic operations and related environmental impacts.

SAE International is a global association committed to advancing mobility knowledge and solutions for the benefit of humanity. By engaging nearly 200,000 engineers, technical experts, and volunteers, SAE International connects and educates mobility professionals to enable safe, clean, and accessible mobility solutions.