History
The first noise monitors were installed around DCA Reagan National in 1978 when the airport was operated by the FAA.
(Pictured: Neal Phillips, Former FAA Metropolitan Washington Airports Analyst / Retired MWAA Noise Office Manager).
At Reagan National, a key FAA strategy for limiting aircraft noise exposure over the broader region is to maximize aircraft movements over water and minimize aircraft movements over more densely populated communities. FAA typically routes flights over the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, consequently, many of the noise monitors are positioned along the river corridors. Noise monitor locations were selected in consultation with member jurisdictions of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
The primary objective of the noise monitoring system is to monitor historical trends experienced in neighboring communities as the result of aircraft and community noise contributions.
Federal rules prohibit real-time measured noise levels to be used to audit, investigate or enforce the DCA Nighttime Noise Rule. Please see DCA Nighttime Noise Rule for more details.
Noise Monitor Locations
- Reagan National has 15 noise monitors.
| NMT | NMT Name | Address | City | St | Zip | Jurisdiction |
| 2 | Cabin John | 6515 76th St | Cabin John | MD | 20818 | Montgomery |
| 3 | Langley Forest | 6737 Sorrell St | McLean | VA | 22101 | Fairfax |
| 4 | Potomac Palisades | 5334 Carolina Pl NW | Washington | DC | 20016 | DC |
| 5 | Chain Bridge | 3536 36th Rd N | Arlington | VA | 22207 | Arlington |
| 6 | Georgetown | Visitation School 1524 35th St NW |
Washington | DC | 20007 | DC |
| 7 | Rosslyn | 2220 N Rolfe St | Arlington | VA | 22201 | Arlington |
| 8 | Old Town | Founder's Park 499 N Union St |
Alexandria | VA | 22314 | City of Alexandria |
| 9 | Springfield | 6414 Meriwether Ln | Springfield | VA | 22150 | Fairfax |
| 10 | Fort Foote | FAA Comm Site Fort Foote Rd |
Ft Washington | MD | 20744 | Pr. George's |
| 11 | Marlan Forest | 1219 Warrington Pl | Alexandria | VA | 22307 | Fairfax |
| 12 | Tantallon | W Tantallon Dr | Ft Washington | MD | 20744 | Pr. George's |
| 17 | Southwest DC | Fort McNair Base 1400 4th St SW |
Washington | DC | 20024 | DC |
| 19 | North Mt. Vernon | Carl Sandburg School 8428 Fort Hunt Rd |
Alexandria | VA | 22308 | Fairfax |
| 20 | Dumbarton | 3910 N Dumbarton St | Arlington | VA | 22213 | Arlington |
| 22 | Avenel | Avenel Equestrian Center 10010 Oaklyn Dr |
Potomac | MD | 20854 | Montgomery |
Note: Noise monitors are numbered as they are chronologically commisioned into the overall noise monitoring system for Ronald Reagan Washington National and Washington Dulles International airports. Number gaps occur due to airport designation and monitor decommissions.