Persistent Airplane Noise Around Boston Logan Airport
As with all first drafts, this is an exercise in organizing your ideas. Remember that you will analyze one (1) of the cases reviewed in class.
When resources are shared, or neighbors affect each other’s daily lives, it can be difficult to find a good working relationship. How can we ensure fair and equal access? What is each neighbor entitled to? Whose needs are most important?
As an economist, you recognize these issues as problems of externalities and common resources. You understand the theoretical arguments and potential solutions. You also recognize that real-world issues complicate resolutions.
Put this knowledge to work.
You have been hired as an economic analyst to help explain and evaluate a particular problem: water shortages in the Colorado River system or persistent airplane noise around Boston Logan airport. Prepare a study to answer the following questions:
Are current actions appropriate? Should they be supported or changed? Write an analysis of the issue and support your recommendation. You must:
• Explain the problem and how it fits into economic theory
o Is it a common resource?
o Is it an externality?
o Is it both?
• Identify potential issues and appropriate tools
• Explain the status quo: how is the situation being handled?
• Evaluate the status quo: are these actions appropriate?
o If so, why are these the best choices?
o If not, what could be done better?
• Conclude with your recommendation. Should current actions be
supported or changed?
Feel free to use sources beyond the material covered in class to expand on any
aspect you find interesting. Cite all your references carefully and correctly.
Issue
Theoretical Solutions
Current Practices
Comments
Externality Across
Multiple jurisdictions
This issue affects all people working and living around the airport and requires urgent intervention including noise abatement policy changes (BostonLogan).
Currently, there has been introduction of noise abatement procedures by massport.
The current practices agree with economic theory. Massport has already established procedures that will promptly address the issue (Massport).
Defining Extent of externality
Affecting most of the people in the area
Currently, there is a suggestion to establish a sound proofing system for houses and schools around the airport.
There have been massive efforts to control the extent of externality of the issue and all forces involved are taking up the issue with a sense of urgency.
Responsibility: who pays?
The airport management and the FAA’s airport environmental data tool model
There have been numerous standards that have been drafted and establish through this model. These include inputs in the total number of flights, types of aircrafts, and model changes that are FAA approved (Massport).
The collaboration from different respective bodies is proof that the situation will soon be under control and everything will return to normalcy.
Managing Externality
Adopting ways that would reduce noise pollution.
The management seeks to employ restrictions on engine run-up time.
The management are up to the task in completely managing the externality, which shows and demonstrates the determination that should be uptight in such an externality.
Changing needs over time
Having noise contours that would be used for environmental analysis and soundproofing.
Reverse thrust and single engine taxiing have been advocated for.
The wide and robust knowledge on the changing needs over time has m...