Study on the implementation of CDO as a noise mitigation and emission reduction measure at Barcelona-El Prat Airport
Given the growth of air traffic in recent years, noise pollution generated by airport operations has become a growing concern for local communities surrounding major airports, as such pollution significantly affects the quality of life of people. This problematic is very relevant at Barcelona-El Pra...
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| Tipo de recurso: | tesis de maestría |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2025 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) |
| Repositorio: | UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC |
| Idioma: | inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/448823 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/2117/448823 |
| Access Level: | acceso embargado |
| Palabra clave: | Airport noise Navigation (Aeronautics) Airports--Environmental aspects Continuous Descent Operations (CDO) Noise footprint Emissions Aeroports--Soroll Navegació aèria Aeroports--Aspectes ambientals Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Aeronàutica i espai::Aeroports::Gestió aeroportuària Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Aeronàutica i espai::Navegació aèria::Procediments operacionals |
| Sumario: | Given the growth of air traffic in recent years, noise pollution generated by airport operations has become a growing concern for local communities surrounding major airports, as such pollution significantly affects the quality of life of people. This problematic is very relevant at Barcelona-El Prat Airport, where it has been necessary to apply operational restrictions to mitigate its effects. At the same time, the reduction of CO₂ emissions has become a major priority in the aviation sector, with the goal of minimizing environmental impact and advancing towards a more sustainable industry. In this context, Continuous Descent Operations (CDO), which allow for smoother descent maneuvers, may be an efficient solution to mitigate noise pollution around airports and reduce CO₂ emissions during a critical phase of flight such as approach and descent. The main objective of this project is to evaluate the feasibility of implementing CDO procedures at Barcelona-El Prat Airport as an effective measure to reduce both noise and CO₂ emissions. To achieve this objective, the project starts with the theoretical framework, analyzing the evolution of air traffic and its environmental impact in recent years. In addition, the specific situation at Barcelona-El Prat Airport is analyzed, addressing the environmental challenges faced. Once studied theoretical framework the methodology followed to achieve the objectives of the project will be presented. Next, an analysis of the operation at Barcelona-El Prat Airport will be carried out, considering runway configurations, airspace structure, and incoming air traffic flow. Following the airport operational analysis, the CDO implementation proposal for Barcelona-El Prat will be presented, defining both the implementation conditions and the designed CDO procedures. By using IMPACT simulation software of EUROCONTROL, the noise and emissions reductions achieved by using the proposed CDO procedures will be quantified and compared to those of the conventional procedures currently in use. Finally, a comparison with other European airports where CDO procedures have already been successfully implemented will be made. Based on this comparison, a strategy and a set of recommendations will be developed to support the adoption of CDO at Barcelona-El Prat, ensuring its technical, regulatory, and operational feasibility within Spanish and European airspace. |
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