PERCEPTIONS OF AIRCRAFT NOISE, SLEEP AND HEALTH - REPORT TO THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY - DECEMBER 2000

The report is intended to explore public perceptions of aircraft noise at night around UK airports, and also to identify the nature of the impacts. Also covered is an examination of relationships between perceptions of night-time aircraft noise, noise sensitivity and noise-disturbed sleep. The work was also concerned with alternative data collection strategies concerned with perceptions of aircraft noise. The research comprised discussions with residents around Heathrow and Manchester airports as well as an analysis of a previous survey in Bristol concerning aircraft noise at night. An interview survey was carried out of respondents around Heathrow, Manchester, Gatwick, East Midlands and Stanstead airports, as well as a postal survey in similar aras. Results analyse and classify aircraft night-time noise and its varying effect on sleep distrubance and health within the areas detailed.