Sound levels vary by time of day and day of week. Therefore, we would expect the perception of neighborhood loudness to vary as well. Below are the responses to survey questions asking participants to rate the loudness of their neighborhoods during the daytime and nighttime for both the weekday and the weekend. We were also interested in the sound level within their homes and if they felt as if they had control over the sound level inside of their homes.
Overall, the majority of survey respondents rated the sound level inside of their home as not or slightly loud. Despite the fact that the majority of residents felt as if the inside of their homes were not or slightly loud, over half of the participants felt as if they did not have control over the sound level inside of their home. This percentage was even greater for those who lived in shared space environments (72%) and, by neighborhood, those who lived in Chinatown (65%) and East Boston (82%).
Survey participants felt as if the weekend nighttime sound levels were loudest, as the percentage of moderately to very loud was largest during this time frame.
How loud is your neighborhood during the WEEKDAY…
DAYTIME (7AM-7PM)
Not or Slightly Loud40.1%
40.1%
Moderately Loud29.95%
29.95%
Very Loud19.84%
19.84%
Not Home During This Time9.64%
9.64%
NIGHTTIME (7PM-7AM)
Not or Slightly Loud53.57%
53.57%
Moderately Loud31.12%
31.12%
Very Loud15.3%%
15.3%%
Not Home During This Time0%
0%
How loud is your neighborhood during the WEEKEND…
DAYTIME (7AM-7PM)
Not or Slightly Loud44.9%
44.9%
Moderately Loud35.20%
35.20%
Very Loud19.9%
19.9%
NIGHTTIME (7PM-7AM)
Not or Slightly Loud42.78%
42.78%
Moderately Loud32.47%
32.47%
Very Loud24.75%
24.75%
How would you rate the loudness of the inside of your home?
Not or Slightly Loud74.5%
74.5%
Moderately Loud18.50%
18.50%
Very Loud7.0%
7.0%
Do you feel as if you have control over the noise level in your home?