Item 7c_Supp 
Ground Run-Up Enclosure (GRE)
Feasibility/Siting Study 
February 28, 2012 




1

GRE Facts 
A GRE is a term used for an enclosed, noise suppressed, 
aircraft engine testing facility 
Typically consists of 3 walls that deflect jet blast 
A GRE will typically reduce noise by 15-20 dB 
Size would accommodate at least a Boeing 737-900 
Expected to accommodate up to 96% of all run-ups at Sea-Tac 




2

Vancouver BC GRE Construction 




3

Vancouver BC GRE Construction 




4

Vancouver Opened January 2012 




5

Airports with GRE's 
North America                     International 
Tampa, FL                              Cologne/Bonn, Germany 
Portland, OR                             Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 
Chicago, IL                              Hannover , Germany 
Albany, NY                              Seoul, Korea 
Norfolk, VA                              Naples, Italy 
St Louis, MO                             Hong Kong 
Memphis, TN                            London  Stansted 
Oakland, CA                             Basel, Switzerland 
Vancouver, BC (Opened January 2012)    Toulouse, France 
Portsmouth, NH                          Sofia, Bulgaria 
Indianapolis, IN                           Dubai, UAE 
Milwaukee, WI                           Bogota, Columbia 
Pontiac, Michigan 


6

Siting Analysis 
Option A 
Community Noise 
Benefits/Impacts 
Compatibility w/ 
Existing & Future Facilities 
Operational Impacts 
Cost 
Environmental 




7

Siting Analysis 
Option B 
Community Noise 
Benefits/Impacts 
Compatibility w/ 
Existing & Future Facilities 
Operational Impacts 
Cost 
Environmental 




8

Siting Analysis 
Option D 
Community Noise 
Benefits/Impacts 
Compatibility w/ 
Existing & Future Facilities 
Operational Impacts 
Cost 
Environmental 




9

Siting Analysis 
Option E 
Community Noise 
Benefits/Impacts 
Compatibility w/ 
Existing & Future Facilities 
Operational Impacts 
Cost 
Environmental 




10

Short-Listed GRE Sites 


A        B2  B1 
D9 D10 





11

Site A 
Reduces single-event
noise levels as
compared to existing
sites 
Largest benefits to the
north, south, and east
of the airport 
Slight reduction in
single event noise to
the west of the site 





12

Site B 
Reduces single-event
noise levels for most
areas compared to
existing sites 
Largest benefits to the
north, south, and east
of the airport 
Slight reduction in
single event noise to
the west of the site 
Slight increase in single
event noise to the
northwest of the site 



13

Site D 
Reduces single-event
noise levels for most
areas compared to
existing sites 
Largest benefits to the
north, south, and east
of the airport 
Slight reduction in
single event noise to
the northwest and west
of the site 
Slight increase in single
event noise to the
southwest of the site 



14

GRE Analysis 
A GRE would concentrate most run ups in one location 
Currently, there is an approximate 60/40 split between run ups at the south and north
primary run up pads 
A GRE is expected to accommodate up to 96 percent of all run-ups at Sea-Tac Airport 
Concentrating most run ups in one location could potentially increase cumulative
noise levels in the direction of the open end of the GRE 
Larger aircraft would continue to perform run ups at the primary run up pads 






15

Questions? 


16