AGR-IMPACTS-Environment ; NTL-AVIATION-Aviation Energy and Environment ; NTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-Air Quality ; NTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-Aviation Energy and Environment ;

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), National Park Service (NPS), and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are jointly sponsoring a study to examine the accuracy of existing models used for predicting tour aircraft noise in Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP). In particular, three models will be included in the study: the NPS’ Noise Overflight Decision Support System (NODSS), the FAA’s Integrated Noise Model (INM), and a third model, the Noisemap Simulation Model (NMSIM), which has been developed with funding from both the U.S. Air Force and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. A key component of the GCNP Noise Model Validation Study is the collection of field data to support the validation effort. These field data will be translated into formats usable by the three noise prediction models. This common set of high quality field data will allow an unbiased comparison of the three models. This letter report addresses portions of the field data collection activity and associated data analysis.

Volpe