Effects of air traffic on sleep -a new research approach

摘要

Any motorised vehicles - land, aquatic, or airborne ones cause noise. Within the vicinity of airports that allow night air traffic, the disturbances of night's rest by air traffic noise is a major problem for the residents. Therefore, the focal point of a research programme is the objective investigation on sleep disturbances or impairments by night air traffic noise. This programme is part of the project "Quiet Air Traffic", and is performed at the DLR-Institute of Aerospace Medicine. In 4 laboratory and 2 field studies in total 192 subjects will be examined, covering 2500 nights. Time wise synchronised, acoustic and physiological data are recorded. Original flight noises have been obtained beforehand in bedrooms of residents near airports. In the laboratory studies, these flight noise recordings are replayed at different frequencies and various maximum levels during the nights, and are again recorded simultaneously together with the physiological signals. Among other variables, sleep profiles are derived from them, and natural or noise induced sleep disturbances are diagnosed. Stress hormones are analysed from urine samples. Variation of the subiects'performances due to potential sleep disturbances are measured on the following day. The results are utilised to find assessment criteria for human specific effects of night air traffic noise. The series of scientific investigations within a time frame of 4 years is worldwide the largest of its kind and scope in this field. A promising path towards a better understanding of nocturnal air traffic noise effects is pursued. At the same time, the scientific base is formed for future noise reduction and planning measures. These studies, therefore, are realised in close cooperation with all other programmes within the project "Quiet Air Traffic". This project will render substantial bases for the development of a catalogue of measures and guidelines to efficiently reduce noise strains in the vicinity of airports, and that considerably supports abatement of noise on the population, even with the predicted air traffic growth by 50 within upcoming years.