Protecting
National Park
Soundscapes
National Academy of Engineering
in cooperation with the
National Park Service and the
John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
Proctor Reid and Steve Olson, Rapporteurs
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING
OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS
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NOTICE: This publication has been reviewed according to procedures approved by the National Academy of Engineering report review process. Publication of signed work signifies that it is judged a competent and useful contribution worthy of public consideration, but it does not imply endorsement of conclusions or recommendations by the National Academy of Engineering. The interpretations and conclusions in such publications are those of the authors and do not purport to present the views of the council, officers, or staff of the National Academy of Engineering.
This project was supported by funding from the US Department of Transportation. Any opinions, finding, or conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the workshop participants.
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WORKSHOP STEERING COMMITTEE
GREGG G. FLEMING, Chair, Director, Environmental and Energy Systems Technical Center, Volpe Center, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, US Department of Transportation
WILLIAM W. LANG, NAE, President, Noise Control Foundation
CYNTHIA S.Y. LEE, Electronics Engineer, Volpe Center, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, US Department of Transportation
GEORGE C. MALING JR., NAE, Managing Director, Emeritus, Institute of Noise Control Engineering
NICHOLAS MILLER, Project Manager and Past President, Harris Miller Miller & Hanson Inc.
FRANK TURINA, Policy, Planning, and Compliance Program Manager, Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, National Park Service
ERIC J.W. WOOD, Director, Noise and Vibration Group, Acentech Inc.
National Academy of Engineering Staff
PROCTOR P. REID, Director, Program Office
STEVE OLSON, Consultant
CAMERON H. FLETCHER, Senior Editor
PENELOPE GIBBS, Senior Program Associate
Preface
This summary is based on a workshop hosted by the National Park Service (NPS) in Fort Collins, Colorado, on October 3–4, 2012. After review of the Technology for a Quieter America report by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), published in October 2010, the NPS concluded that the NAE could assist the NPS in refining portions of its national noise program. This workshop summary was prepared by rapporteurs Steve Olson and Proctor Reid. A steering committee developed the program for the workshop following NAE procedures for the organization of workshops and subsequent publication of the results.
This report discusses NPS mandates to protect the soundscape in its 400-plus properties. Empowered by these mandates, NPS has a long history of actively managing noise in its properties and has taken actions, both administrative and legal, to protect soundscapes. Noise sources of concern include those related to transportation, maintenance, and construction. NPS also has a long history of studying the effects of noise on park visitors and wildlife. This work is ongoing and is vital to best understand how to protect park soundscapes.
This workshop and resulting summary focus on noise sources wholly under NPS control (e.g., facilities management, transportation within the park, and construction). The aim was to provide best practices to assist NPS park managers, contractors, and concessionaires in protecting park soundscapes. It is essential that parks have flexibility in the application of best practices and that each park be able to develop programs appropriate for its own circumstances. In some areas, such as procurement of quiet products, the steering committee recognized that best practices could leverage the experience of other government agencies, and that is
why considerable attention was paid to the Buy-Quiet program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Workshop participants represented a broad array of expertise and included both park personnel and noise control specialists.
It is expected that there will be a continuing dialogue between workshop participants and related stakeholders, and it is hoped that novel solutions will be identified to help improve park soundscapes.
Gregg G. Fleming | George C. Maling Jr. |
Volpe National Transportation | Institute of Noise Control |
Systems Center | Engineering (ret.) |
Acknowledgments
This summary has been reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise, in accordance with procedures approved by the National Academies. The purpose of the independent review is to provide candid and critical comments to assist the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in making its published report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the deliberative process. We thank the following individuals for their review of this report:
James E. Barger, Raytheon BBN Technologies
Paul R. Donovan, Illingworth & Rodkin Inc.
Lawrence S. Finegold, Finegold & So, Environmental Noise Consultants
Richard H. Lyon, RH Lyon Corp.
Nicholas Miller, Harris Miller Miller & Hanson Inc.
Although the reviewers listed above provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the views expressed in the report, nor did they see the final draft of the report before its release. The review of this report was overseen by Lance Davis, NAE Executive Officer. Appointed by NAE, he was responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and that all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with the authors and NAE.
Contents
1 INTRODUCTION AND THEMES OF THE WORKSHOP
Organization of the Breakout Groups
Noise Generated in the National Parks
Effects of Noise on Park Visitors
Low-Noise Products in the National Parks
3 REPORT FROM THE TRANSPORTATION BREAKOUT GROUP
Technologies for Reducing Noise
4 REPORT FROM THE FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE BREAKOUT GROUP