REDUCED NOISE The data and methods underlying the ALTERNATIVE Shuttle buses reduced noise near park summary findings in this pamphlet are roadways by 9.6 decibels in Zion and 6.3 contained in a report prepared by the TRANSPORTATION decibels in Acadia – the same reduction John A. Volpe National Transportation that would result from building a 12- to Systems Center of the U.S. DOT SYSTEMS 15-foot-tall noise barrier along the road. Research and Special Programs Thanks to the shuttle buses, it will take Administration. approximately 80 years in Zion and 120 Making Our National Parks Cleaner years in Acadia for vehicle noise levels to For copies of the report “Noise and Air and Quieter approach pre-shuttle bus levels. Quality Implications of Alternative Transportation Systems: Acadia and Forecast of Vehicle Noise Levels at Zion Zion National Park Case Studies,” National Park contact:

75 Jim Evans Alternative Transportation Program 70 Manager/Transportation Planner 65 National Park Service Noise 60 Department of the Interior (decibels) 1849 C Street, NW (2420) 55 2000 Washington, D.C. 20240-0001 2006 2030 2060 Phone: (202) 513-7021

Fax: (202) 565-1266 Above: Acadia National Park Island Explorer E-mail: [email protected] Bus (NPS image) Year

With Shuttle Bus Without Shuttle Bus Below: Zion National Park Weeping Rock Shuttle Stop (NPS image)

Visit the NPS web site below for more

Sources: FHWA traffic noise model runs; Volpe Center analysis information about national park transportation programs. THE FUTURE OF OUR PARKS

Visitors like you come to our national parks to enjoy pristine air quality, scenic vistas, and the calming quiet of nature. The National Park Service is working to protect your visitor experience by exploring transportation alternatives that can help ease traffic congestion, improve air quality, and protect park resources, including the http://www.nps.gov/transportation natural soundscape and wildlife.

ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION In addition, haze due to air pollution may vehicles are still allowed in the park, but HELPS KEEP OUR PARKS CLEANER impair natural and historic vistas. On a the bus is an attractive alternative. In AND QUIETER clear day in Acadia National Park in 2001, more than 200,000 visitors rode Maine, visitors can see for about 200 the buses, keeping 88,000 vehicles off Each year our national parks host nearly miles. But summer haze can reduce that the roads. 300 million visitors from across the U.S. view to 30 miles or less. and around the world. Most come to Zion National Park in Utah began escape the hustle and bustle of daily life using propane-powered buses in and to experience natural wonders. But 2000. Vehicle use is restricted in the park visitors are increasingly finding the most visited area of the park, Zion congestion, noise, and hazy air they had Canyon, from April through October. hoped to leave behind. Buses shuttle visitors between the nearby town of Springdale and Zion ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS Canyon attractions. As visitation increases, more motor vehicles clog park roads. On a typical IMPROVED AIR QUALITY summer day at Grand Canyon National Left: Acadia National Park on a clear day In both parks, introducing shuttle buses Park, nearly 6,000 vehicles compete for eased congestion, reducing CO 2,400 parking spaces. Growing traffic Right: Acadia National Park on a hazy day emissions by 33 percent in Acadia and congestion impairs the natural quiet and 46 percent in Zion, and reducing VOC pristine air quality visitors come to enjoy. • Noise Pollution emissions by 25 percent in Acadia and 44 percent in Zion. Thanks to the shuttle • Air Quality The increased number of vehicles inside buses, visitation can continue to grow for our national parks means more noise, 7 years in Acadia and for 15 years in Our parks are threatened by air pollution drowning out the natural quiet many park Zion without raising CO emissions above from a variety of sources. Pollutants from visitors seek. Park wildlife may also be their previous levels. motor vehicles such as carbon monoxide negatively affected by noise. (CO), volatile organic carbons (VOC), Forecast of Mobile Source Emissions at Acadia National Park nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide, are A SOLUTION: TRANSPORTATION dangerous to the health of park visitors, ALTERNATIVES wildlife, plants, lakes, streams, and soils. The National Park Service (NPS) is 120 100 exploring the use of buses and other 80 CO

transportation alternatives to reduce the Tons 60 impacts of growing park visitation. 40 Transit services, pedestrian walkways, Emissions in 20 0 and bike paths can help limit the number 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 of motor vehicles operating in our parks. 2008 2010

Acadia began using propane-powered Summer Season by Year buses in 1999 to shuttle visitors to campgrounds, beaches, mountains, With Shuttle Bus Program Without Shuttle Bus Program and other park attractions. Personal Above: Traffic at Arches National Park in Utah Sources: EPA MOBILE Model; NPS traffic data. Note: Emissions projections based on 2000 VMT data using conservative park visitation estimates