The effects of aircraft overflights on visitors to US National Parks

Aircraft overflights of U.S, National Parks have become a source of sound intrusion into otherwise undisturbed natural environments. Public and park management concern about the potential noise impacts of overflights have motivated several studies of the benefits and impacts of aircraft flights over National Parks. The methods and results of two of the studies are summarized in this paper. Dose-Response studies conducted in Grand Canyon, Hawaii Volcanoes, and Haleakala National Parks are described. A Cognitive Survey conducted at a site in White Sands National Monument is the second study for which methods and results are presented. An approach is suggested for using Dose-Response studies to assess relative aircraft overflight impact on visitors. (C) 1999 Institute of Noise Control Engineering. [S0736-2501(99)00803-6].