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Overview of the Human Response to Aviation Noise in Protected 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. Drivers for this Workshop.
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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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.