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A new map shows SoCal airport noise in real time
File photo: A sign outside LAX.
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Sharon McNary/KPCC
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A new online map shows the noise created by flights coming in and out of the Los Angeles International Airport, as well as other local airports — and does it in real time. It was released by Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin's office.
“What we tried to do was bring together as much information as possible, but to do it in a way that is really kind of easily accessible and one that is visually accessible too,” Galperin told KPCC.
In addition to live decibel levels, statistics like levels of greenhouse gas emissions, air quality and airport finances are all available on the controller's site as part of a larger collection of resources. There are also facts about the number of vehicles that go in and out of LAX each day — 75,960 — and J.D. Power airport rankings — LAX is 29 out of 31 in passenger satisfaction.
Galperin explained his priorities in creating online airport resources to improve the public's LAX experience.
“We want to make that experience the best it possibly can, and I believe that one of the ways you do that is also making their operations as transparent as they can possibly be,” Galperin said.
The noise map also comes after an L.A. city councilman wrote a frustrated letter to the Federal Aviation Administration in January complaining that there had been an increase in complaints about airport noise.
The project coincided with the release of a study the city controller's office releases every five years on the operations of LAX and other local airports. The report found that LAX contributes $2.6 billion to the local economy, as well as 360,000 jobs.
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Galperin said that, as time goes on, a lot more information will be added to the new resource site — especially as LAX starts to undergo an $8.5 billion modernization project. The city controller's report said that the project will make transportation and traffic into the airport more difficult, but Galperin said that the new resource center will provide information as the project gets underway.
He also said the creation of the map was done in-house through his office and will be cost-effective to maintain.
Real-Time Noise Map
Hover over the colored circles or planes to see more data, or click to track an object over time. Note: The map may take a moment to load.
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