Broward County Aviation Department On-Call Acoustical and Environmental Planning Services

BCAD is the operator of FLL and HWO, which have a combined economic impact of over $15 billion. FLL is a Primary Large Hub commercial service airport that serves as one of the main gateways for South Florida. FLL’s proximity to Miami and West Palm Beach has helped elevate FLL to become one of the most popular airports in the United States in terms of scheduled commercial flights and connectivity options, providing over 700 daily flights to 130 nonstop destinations globally. HWO is one the busiest general aviation (GA) airports in Florida in terms of operations.

ESA assisted BCAD by providing on-call acoustical, land use, environmental planning, and sustainability services. This includes performing a 14 CFR Part 150 Noise and Land Use Compatibility Study to evaluate how noise was impacting local communities around FLL. The Part 150 Study included an extensive public outreach program consisting of representatives from Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Dania Beach, Davie, Plantation, Cooper City, Southwest Ranches, and Weston as well as Broward County Planning and the Broward County School Board. It also included coordination with airlines and air cargo operators; the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA); and the local, state, regional, and headquarters offices of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The extensive public outreach program allowed ESA and BCAD to better understand how aircraft noise was impacting local communities and assisted in developing strategies to help mitigate noise impacts. As such, ESA evaluated the effectiveness of mitigation measures in reducing noise and improving land use compatibility in areas surrounding FLL. Recommended measures include noise abatement strategies, a new sound insulation program, and numerous programmatic measures including a new ANOMS system and a Fly Quiet Program.

In addition to the Part 150 Study, ESA is assisting BCAD in providing comprehensive sustainability and environmental review (NEPA) services that align with FLL’s 20-year Master Plan and support sustainable growth at HWO. These services include identifying measures to improve energy efficiency/conservation, reduce carbon emissions, improve the passenger experience, increase workforce development, and prepare critical assets and infrastructure for sea level rise. This work helps support BCAD’s commitment to creating a resilient and sustainable future for FLL and HWO.