The Challenge
Legislation required that the National Park Service determine the effects of air tours on the visitor experience.
The Strategy
HMMH designed and conducted studies in Grand Canyon, Haleakala and Hawaii Volcanoes national parks. The studies were designed to find out how aircraft sound levels effected visitors' enjoyment of "natural quiet" and to what degree, if at all, visitors found the sound of aircraft annoying. Statistically determined "dose-response" curves resulted that could be used to assess what percentage of visitors might be affected by tour aircraft sound.
The Solution
The study provided a basic understanding of the factors that affect visitors' reactions.
Our work in the national parks inspired HMMH's development of our unique listening tool Virtual Soundscape.
