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Overview of the Human Response to Aviation Noise in Protected Natural Areas Workshop

This workshop presented in 2008 by Amanda S. Rapoza at the National Parks Overflight Advisory Group focuses on assessing the impact of aircraft noise on visitors' experience in protected natural areas. The objective was to develop a roadmap for advancing research on this topic. Key goals included understanding research findings to date, identifying weaknesses and strengths, and prioritizing future research questions. The workshop highlighted two research paths – engineering and social science frameworks – to address noise impacts. Issues such as cooperative data collection and further analysis of existing datasets were also discussed, with proposed next steps to publish proceedings and facilitate collaborative research efforts for a comprehensive roadmap.

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Overview of the Human Response to Aviation Noise in Protected Natural Areas Workshop

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  1. Overview of the Human Response to Aviation Noise inProtected Natural Areas Workshop Presented to: National Parks Overflight Advisory Group (NPOAG) December 1, 2008 Amanda S. Rapoza US DOT Volpe Center Environmental Measurement and Modeling Division

  2. Drivers for this Workshop • Noise impact analyses needed as part of National Parks Air Tour Management Plans (ATMP) • Assessment must be based on reasonable scientific methods (National Parks Air Tour Management Act of 2000, Sec. 808) • Agencies have agreed assessment will include impacts to both visitor experience the park’s natural soundscape • Noise impact analyses at National Parks also needed to comply with NEPA for airport and airspace redesign projects

  3. Workshop Objective • To develop roadmap that will advance research and produce a reliable body of data on National Parks visitors’ response to aircraft noise exposure

  4. Method: Workshop • Bring together experts from an number of relevant fields to discuss research and develop a "road map" for future efforts. • 13 expert panel members from government, business and academia • Acousticians, Social Scientists, Wilderness Values Experts, Recreational Psychologists • FAA/NPS representatives and NPOAG observers • 1 ½ days of presentations and discussions

  5. Workshop Goals • Establish common understanding of findings from exposure-response research and data analysis completed to date. • Weaknesses/strengths • Lessons learned: methodology, gaps, etc. • What, if any, questions has research answered regarding noise impacts to National Park visitors • What else might be gleaned from available data • Prioritize key questions that must be answered by follow-on research.

  6. Issues Identified • Research has progressed along 2 paths. Can the results be used cooperatively? • Traditional engineering framework – mathematical method to relate noise exposure to a human response • Traditional airspace management tool. • Once the relationship is developed, can be used to model alternatives or future conditions • Social science framework – • Informs management decisions regarding issues such as crowding, haze, and noise. • Assessment of acceptability and personal interpretation of sounds, does not usually relate interpretation to a particular sound level

  7. Issues Identified • Can future data collection efforts be conducted co-operatively? • Is there more information to be gained from the current dose-response dataset? • More work is needed prior to development of a comprehensive roadmap

  8. Next Steps Publish workshop Proceedings Issue 1: Research has progressed along 2 paths. Can the results be used cooperatively? • Discuss and review results of all current research. Develop whitepaper. Issue 2: Can future data collection efforts be conducted co-operatively? • Identify and pursue opportunities for co-operative research efforts.

  9. Next Steps • Issue 3: Is there more information to be gained from the current dose-response dataset? • Re-analyze previously collected noise exposure – visitor response data using advanced statistical analyses techniques and previously under-utilized factors. • Issue 4: More work is needed prior to development of a comprehensive roadmap • Conduct a second expert panel workshop (2nd Quarter 2009) to facilitate detailed discussions of future research efforts and develop a comprehensive roadmap.

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