THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2008

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Noise Complaints Down Again

Complaints called in to the O'Hare Noise Hotline fell in 2007 for the ninth consecutive year.

The hotline received 1,248 noise complaints in 2007, down from 1,362 in 2006 and only a fraction of the 25,773 calls received in the peak year, 1998.

In addition, noise complaint reporting is now more accurate, as the hotline draws on the resources of the Chicago call center to take calls 24 hours a day. Previously, a recorded message and a voice mail system greeted callers during non-business hours. With live operators asking the callers specific questions, the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission (ONCC) is gathering more accurate information to use in addressing aircraft noise issues.

The ONCC attributes the largest part of the complaint decrease to gradual reduction of overall aircraft noise around O'Hare International Airport, especially since the retirement of older and noisier Stage-2 and Stage-3 aircraft, including the Boeing 727.

The ONCC uses information collected from noise complaints to identify specific aircraft that deviate from the nighttime Fly Quiet Program, which is designed to reduce aircraft noise over residential areas through use of preferred departure runways and flight paths. Inquiries are made to the airlines when specific Fly Quiet deviations are identified.