Glacier study to gauge Sun Road noise
Glacier National Park this month begin a vehicle noise education and outreach project along Going-to-the-Sun Road.
The project is an effort to reduce vehicle noise and preserve natural soundscapes in the park. Two roadside noise meters will collect decibel-level data. Driver education and outreach efforts will also take place.
The meters are being placed near the St. Mary and West Glacier entrance stations on Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Information about how to minimize noise impacts from vehicles will be available at park visitor centers. The project, expected to continue through mid-August, is part of the Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor Management Plan development process.
Natural sound is an important natural and cultural resource the National Park Service is mandated to protect, according to a news release from Glacier Park.
Maintaining natural soundscapes is critical for the preservation of wildlife habitat, wilderness character and cultural heritage. Wildlife uses natural sounds to establish territory, find mates, protect young and communicate.
Glacier Park visitors commonly complain about noise from vehicles. Numerous comments about noise disturbance were received during the Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor Management Plan public meetings last year.
The study will address noise from a variety of sources, including park operations, construction, maintenance and transportation.
While all vehicles and visitors contribute to increased noise, low-frequency sounds from motorcycles travels farther than typical passenger cars and trucks.
Noise modeling at Glacier has shown that some motorcycle noise reaches far into the backcountry in a number of locations along Going-to-the-Sun Road.
A brochure will be provided to motorcycle users with suggestions on how to ride respectfully through national parks. For example, motorcyclists are discouraged from revving their engines because the additional noise can disturb animals and other visitors.
Information about natural sounds is available at park visitor centers and online at www.nature.nps.gov/sound_night.
Other units of the National Park Service are also conducting similar noise study and education programs this year