The case for a design-led, end-user focused airport noise management process

Heyes, Graeme ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8073-1975, Hooper, Paul, Raje, Fiona ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3267-5526 and Sheppard, Jack (2021) The case for a design-led, end-user focused airport noise management process. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 95 (June 2). ISSN 1361-9209

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Abstract

Designing and implementing noise management actions is complex, with research showing that airports tend to develop such actions in an inconsistent manner, rather than through robust processes based on a rich evidence base, and that aim to deliver targeted outcomes, through evaluable interventions. This article presents some key airport noise management challenges, and proposes that a framework to guide noise managers in the development of management actions may enhance their capacity to respond to noise management challenges. The paper presents the concept of Design Thinking, a popular user-centric and iterative problem-solving approach. We argue that Design Thinking can play a key role in guiding noise managers through a series of propositions that lay the ground for future research to provide airports with the best possible guidance with which to develop – and implement – effective noise management actions.