Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Grace Hamilton, Senior Nicole Egan Anderson Peralta Deyaneira Rodriguez Maria Valentinez
Lead Presenter's Name
Grace Hamilton
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Aviation
Faculty Mentor Name
Ali Aljaroudi
Abstract
Airport ramp personnel are routinely exposed to hazardous noise levels exceeding occupational safety thresholds, increasing the risk of permanent hearing loss, degraded communication, and operational incidents. Traditional ramp noise management relies primarily on periodic monitoring and personnel protective equipment (PPE), which limits real-time hazard recognition and a proactive risk mitigation strategy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and financial effectiveness of implementing a real-time noise monitoring and detection system within airport ramp operations in alignment with Safety Management System (SMS) principles. A literature review, Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA), and financial cost-benefit analysis were conducted to compare current-state ramp operations with a projected future state incorporating continuous noise monitoring and alert-based control methods. Risk severity and likelihood were assessed using a standardized aviation risk assessment matrix, while financial impacts were modeled using occupational injury cost data and industry benchmarks. Results indicate measurable reductions in operational risk across multiple hazards. Excessive noise exposure risk decreased from 12 to 8, while masked auditory warning hazards decreased from 15 to 5, representing the overall likelihood reductions of approximately 50-70% across identified ramp hazards. Financial analysis estimated current annual loss exposure at $500,000, which decreased to $288,000 following implementation, producing approximately $212,000 in annual cost avoidance. With an implementation cost of $305,000, the system achieves a projected payback period of approximately 17 months. These findings demonstrate that real-time ramp noise monitoring provides a measurable and economically justified safety intervention that enhances hazard identification, reduces occupational risk exposure, and strengthens proactive safety assurance within airport SMS frameworks. The proposed approach shifts ramp noise management from a reactive compliance and towards a continuous, data-driven risk control method. By being continuous and data driven, it supports improved operational safety and long-term organizational resilience.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Included in
Aviation Safety and Security Commons, Management and Operations Commons, Risk Analysis Commons
An Innovative Approach to Real-Time Noise Monitoring and Detection in Airport Ramp Operations
Airport ramp personnel are routinely exposed to hazardous noise levels exceeding occupational safety thresholds, increasing the risk of permanent hearing loss, degraded communication, and operational incidents. Traditional ramp noise management relies primarily on periodic monitoring and personnel protective equipment (PPE), which limits real-time hazard recognition and a proactive risk mitigation strategy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and financial effectiveness of implementing a real-time noise monitoring and detection system within airport ramp operations in alignment with Safety Management System (SMS) principles. A literature review, Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA), and financial cost-benefit analysis were conducted to compare current-state ramp operations with a projected future state incorporating continuous noise monitoring and alert-based control methods. Risk severity and likelihood were assessed using a standardized aviation risk assessment matrix, while financial impacts were modeled using occupational injury cost data and industry benchmarks. Results indicate measurable reductions in operational risk across multiple hazards. Excessive noise exposure risk decreased from 12 to 8, while masked auditory warning hazards decreased from 15 to 5, representing the overall likelihood reductions of approximately 50-70% across identified ramp hazards. Financial analysis estimated current annual loss exposure at $500,000, which decreased to $288,000 following implementation, producing approximately $212,000 in annual cost avoidance. With an implementation cost of $305,000, the system achieves a projected payback period of approximately 17 months. These findings demonstrate that real-time ramp noise monitoring provides a measurable and economically justified safety intervention that enhances hazard identification, reduces occupational risk exposure, and strengthens proactive safety assurance within airport SMS frameworks. The proposed approach shifts ramp noise management from a reactive compliance and towards a continuous, data-driven risk control method. By being continuous and data driven, it supports improved operational safety and long-term organizational resilience.