Toronto (January 24, 2020) – As part of its commitment to managing noise generated by operations related to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, PortsToronto has installed a new Noise Monitoring Terminal (NMT) at 480 Queens Quay in the Kings Landing condominium building that was activated on Thursday, January 23, 2020.
Noise Monitoring Terminals (NMTs) are the foundation of the airport’s noise monitoring system and provide ongoing noise-level data to the airport’s Noise Management Office. This data is then used in long-term noise mitigation planning and in responding to noise complaints from the surrounding community.
Currently, the airport’s Noise Management Program features three permanent Noise Monitoring Terminals, with one located on the Toronto Police Marine Unit building and one located on the Toronto Fire Service on-island Fire Hall, both of which were upgraded in 2016. The airport also installed a NMT on the mainland ferry terminal building in 2016.
The 2018 Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Master Plan included the recommendation to implement two additional permanent NMTs to enhance the airport’s noise monitoring system. Through consultation and input from the Noise Management Sub-Committee, a sub-committee of the airport Community Liaison Committee (CLC), the Kings Landing condominium building was selected as an ideal location and will be facilitated by community representatives and fully integrated into the airport’s existing noise management system and back-end equipment. A location for the second NMT is being coordinated by the Noise Management Sub-Committee and the airport's Noise Management Office.
The noise data transmitted by the NMTs can be accessed through the airport’s free, publically-accessible WebTrak website – an Internet-based software service that enables individuals to locate and track aircraft on their computer or tablet screen and research information on the aircraft, including the aircraft type, the destination and point of departure.
The Airport Master Plan also included the recommendation to conduct a Ground Noise Study which is currently being undertaken by Billy Bishop Airport management in consultation with the Noise Management Sub-Committee. As part of this separate study, temporary noise terminals will be installed in the community for a short period of time in order to gather data on sources of background noise in the community. This information will assist in best informing airport management with regard to the implementation of future mitigation measures aimed at reducing the impacts of airport ground operations on the surrounding residential community.
The addition of the two permanent NMTs, the Ground Noise Study and all other capital improvements made at Billy Bishop Airport are financed entirely by PortsToronto through the passenger AIF (Airport Improvement Fee) which is mandated to be financially self-sufficient and receives no funding from any level of government.