Acoustical Treatment Program (ACT)

Mineta San José International Airport’s Sound-Insulation Program is a Community Success

Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) is nearing completion of one of the most comprehensive and successful aircraft noise reduction programs in the nation that has improved quality of life for thousands of neighboring residents over the past 25 years.

The Airport’s noise control program has worked with property owners to offer no-cost sound insulation for eligible homes that are within defined areas near the airfield that are affected by noise. Since 1994 nearly 2600 homes and three schools in San Jose and Santa Clara neighborhoods have received acoustical windows and doors, insulation, and air conditioning at a total cost of approximately $160 million. Each dwelling unit eligible for full sound insulation has received approximately $35,000 to $55,000 of acoustical improvements.

The SJC Acoustical Treatment Program (ACT) has helped the Airport achieve its critical goal of being a good neighbor in the community, and the program has significantly reduced aircraft noise in homes and classrooms. The ACT Program has achieved noticeable differences in interior noise levels.

The official noise exposure map for Mineta San José International Airport is currently being updated and new data indicates that the noise contours surrounding SJC are shrinking. This reduction is due to the accelerated addition of more fuel-efficient and quieter aircraft by the airlines, more reliance on smaller and quieter regional jets, and the phasing out of older, noisier aircraft by December 31, 1999, which was mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

As of October 2007, all eligible homes with in the noise exposure map have been addressed by the ACT Program. The program does not have additional funding for further treatment.

The ACT Program is no longer accepting applications for sound insulation. Extensive outreach to homeowners was conducted throughout the program, including direct mailings, telephone calls, knocking on doors, group meetings, media outreach, newsletters and communications with homeowner associations, property management companies and realtors. Finally, follow-up contacts were made with homeowners, who initially declined to participate to ensure they had additional opportunities before the deadline. Also, positive word of mouth from participants whose homes were completed assisted in the success of the program.

The ACT Program was funded by a combination of the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), a grant program that provides for capital improvements at airports and is funded through taxes from passenger tickets and aviation fuel. Additional funding came from passenger facility charges (PFCs) levied on the tickets of all departing passengers.

Noise exposure from aircraft operating at SJC is continually monitored year-round via the Airport's noise monitoring system. SJC's master plan forecasts that noise exposure will not increase.

The ACT Program is part of SJC’s overall noise management program. Since the early 1990s, SJC has made continuous efforts to develop programs that minimize noise on surrounding communities. For additional information, please contact us at (408) 501-0955 or email us at actprogram@sjc.org.