Human Response to Aviation Noise: Development of Dose-Response Relationships for Backcountry Visitors - Volume II: Results and Analyses

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Park Service conducted joint research to better understand the effects of noise due to commercial air tour operations over units of the National Park System. To evaluate the relationship between aircraft noise exposure and the quality of National Park visitor experience, research was conducted at backcountry sites providing day- and overnight-hiking and camping opportunities. Over 4600 visitor surveys and fifty days of acoustical measurements were collected and analyzed to develop dose-response relationships for backcountry visitors. This report, the second of two volumes, describes the model-fitting approach used to identify the noise exposure metrics and mediator variables that best predict visitor responses to aircraft noise. The dose variables identified include sound exposure level, percent time audible, and energy percentages due to helicopters and fixed-wing propeller aircraft. Mediator variables identified include visitor ratings of the ‘importance of calmness, peace and tranquility’, attributes of adults-only in group, first visit to the site, having taken an air tour, and participation in activities of watching birds and listening to an interpretive talk. The models developed can be used as a tool for evaluating potential effects of air tours on visitors to National Parks.

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• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/12391
• Corporate Authors:

  Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

  Environmental Measurement and Modeling Division
  Kendall Square
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02142-1093

  Federal Aviation Administration

  Western-Pacific Region
  Lawndale, CA  United States  90261

  National Park Service

  Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division
  1201 Oakridge Drive
  Fort Collins, CO  United States  80525
• Authors:
  • Rapoza, Amanda S
  • Lewis, Kristin C
  • Sudderth, Erika A
  • Lee, Cynthia S Y
  • Hassol, Joshua
• Publication Date: 2014-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 159p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aircraft noise; National parks; Surveys; Tourists
• Uncontrolled Terms: Air tours; Dose-response studies; Noise measurement; Visitors
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01620259
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT-VNTSC-FAA-16-02, DOT-VNTSC-NPS-16-02, DOT/FAA/AEE/2016-26
• Contract Numbers: FP01 / KD7RA; VXK6 / MLB48
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 29 2016 5:03PM