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  • HOME
  • TABLE OF CONTENTS
  • INTRODUCTION
  • SURVEY
    • DEMOGRAPHICS
      • AGE
      • EDUCATION
      • EMPLOYMENT
      • HOUSING TYPE
      • INCOME
      • NEIGHBORHOOD
      • SEX
      • RACE
      • RESIDENCY
    • PERCEPTIONS
      • SOUND SENSITIVITY
      • DETERMINANTS OF ANNOYANCE
      • TEMPORALITY
      • PERCEPTIONS BY NEIGHBORHOOD
      • WORKPLACE PERCEPTION
    • NOISE COMPLAINTS
      • TEMPORALITY OVERALL
      • TIME OF DAY
      • DAY OF WEEK
      • MONTH
      • TEMPORALITY BY TYPE OF COMPLAINT
      • TIME OF DAY
      • DAY OF WEEK
      • MONTH
      • NEIGHBORHOOD
      • TIME OF DAY
      • DAY OF WEEK
      • TYPE
    • HEALTH IMPACTS
      • PHYSICAL
      • MENTAL HEALTH
      • SLEEP & RELAXATION
    • NOISE ABATEMENT
    • ADVOCACY STRATEGIES
  • SOUND MAPPING
    • SOUND LEVEL MAPS
      • A-WEIGHTED SOUND LEVELS (dBA)
      • DAY
      • NIGHT
      • UNWEIGHTED SOUND LEVELS (dB)
      • DAY
      • NIGHT
      • UNWEIGHTED – A – WEIGHTED SOUND
      • DAY
      • NIGHT
    • SOUND PERCEPTION MAPS
      • AIRCRAFT ANNOYANCE LEVELS
      • HORNS ANNOYANCE LEVELS
      • LEAF BLOWER ANNOYANCE LEVELS
      • NEIGHBORHOOD SOUND ANNOYANCE LEVELS
      • NOISE COMPLAINT HEAT MAP
      • SOUND SENSITIVITY
      • ROAD TRAFFIC ANNOYANCE LEVELS
      • STREET ANNOYANCE LEVELS
      • TRAIN ANNOYANCE LEVELS
    • HEALTH OUTCOMES MAPS
      • SELF-REPORTED
      • OVERALL HEALTH STATUS
      • HOURS OF SLEEP
  • SOUNDSCAPES
    • COMMUNITY SOUND PORTRAITS
    • URBAN SOUND BITES
  • REPORT CARD
    • GRADING METHODOLOGY
    • REPORT CARDS LIST
  • ABOUT
    • OUR METHODOLOGY
    • OUR THANKS
    • OUR Q & A
    • OUR FUN FACTS
    • OUR COMMUNITY COMMENTS
    • OUR 2020 SURVEY
    • OUR EMAIL
    • OUR TEAM
    • OUR PRESS KIT
    • OUR MAIN WEBSITE
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MEET Ivelisse and one of her son Davonte!
2020 NATIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD NOISE SURVEY
Click image to complete survey >
SOUND LEVEL MAPS
Click map to view Sound Level Maps >
COMMUNITY SOUND PORTRAITS
Click image to view Community Sound Portraits >
FUN FACTS
Click image to read Fund Facts >

Q&A

While you can always contact us HERE with any additional questions you may have, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions:
What is the ultimate point of this research?
We feel very strongly about community noise. However, at least in the United States, beyond noise ordinances and occasional op-ed pieces, very little is known about the urban soundscape or the residents’ response to such noise. We would like to start a conversation.
What inspired you to study noise?

The founder, Erica Walker, has been interested in sound ever since she experienced excessive noise levels while living below neighbors in an apartment complex. After experiencing restless nights and countless fights, she decided to research more about how urban residents are dealing with noise in their communities and found that she was far from alone.

What is the difference between sound and noise?
Sound is an aural concept. Physically speaking, sound is an audible wave that travels through the environment. Noise, however, is the unwanted aspect of sound. The unwanted aspects are very interesting to us as we feel as if they contribute to negative health. We are careful to not to assume noise. 
So, which is more important—noise or sound?
We think that both are very important. There are characteristics of sound—such as its level—that are important to describe when discussing the urban environment. However, we also recognize that people respond differently to these sounds. That difference is not only interesting but may also serve to help us untangle how noise exposure impacts human health.
There is a lot of information here, how do you suggest I navigate through it?
The results found here are from approximately two years of intensive research. However, it may be help to think of our findings as large buckets: sound mapping, Greater Boston Neighborhood Noise Survey results, neighborhood noise report cards, and soundscapes. From these buckets, you can focus in on what appeals to you. Further, you don’t have to take it all in at once.
How reliable are these results?
You can get the complete picture by reading our methodology. Briefly, the sound level data is compiled from a yearlong sound measurement campaign. Sound was measured at over 400 sites during both the weekday and weekend, during all times of the day, and throughout all four seasons. We followed strict protocols to make sure we obtained valid measurements.
Our survey was open to all residents of the Greater Boston Area via our main website (www.noiseandthecity.org). Further, we administered surveys at community meetings throughout the city. However, we are very aware that these findings may not be representative of everyone in the city. In order to make these results more representative, we need to hear from you! Please take a moment (less than 5 minutes, actually) to fill out the now National Neighborhood Noise Survey! HERE is the survey.
I don’t agree with the report card criteria; you want to know why?
Of course! Email us HERE to state your reasons. Our report card criteria were gleaned from statistical modeling so careful consideration was given. However, we do realize that there can be more to the story and are open to hearing what you have to say.
How would you like for this report to be used?
We would like our report to be a conversation starter. We would like for you to interact with our site, read our results, download our maps, look for patterns, and use our perspective to think about how we (as city residents, city officials, and community leaders) can better tackle noise issues.
I noticed that my city does not have a report card. Why is this?
We are currently working on report cards for participating cities with large survey responses, which includes Cambridge, MA and Somerville, MA. However, we are a tiny staff of three and there is a LOT of work that goes into making a report card. At our next update, we will roll out more cities.
I noticed that my neighborhood has been consolidated into another neighborhood. Why is this?
Sample size is the main reason that your neighborhood may be lumped in with another neighborhood. In some neighborhoods, we had very few responses, so instead of not including them in the report card, we decided to add them to neighboring communities. We used the police district information to define these neighboring communities.
I did not know about this project initially but now I want to participate, is it too late?
Absolutely not! We are continuing to update our sound models and are currently accepting survey responses for our next update. It is our desire to make this a dynamic report, updated every few years to keep our city (and hopefully other cities) up-to-date about noise issues.
How can I site your findings?
APA citation goes as follows:
Walker, E. D. (2015, October 21). The Greater Boston Neighborhood Noise Report Card. Retrieved from: (add url here, without parenthesis)
Are you open to presenting your findings at our next meeting or serving as a consultant on our upcoming sound project?
Absolutely. Email us HERE to discuss.
Do you have a mailing list? Facebook? Twitter? Yes!
  • Twitter: Click HERE to stay connected!
  • Facebook: Click HERE to stay connected!
The survey is online and I don’t feel comfortable filling it out, what can I do?
While our survey is housed on a secured server and all responses are encrypted, we do understand that some people just don’t feel comfortable filling out a survey online. We do have hard copies and can send one to you—along with a stamped return envelope. Email us HERE for details.

THE 2016 GREATER BOSTON NOISE REPORT BY WWW.NOISEANDTHECITY.ORG I   ERICA WALKER  I  JULIO CÉSAR ROMÁN  I  MARCOS LUNA

INTRODUCTION


INTRODUCTION


SURVEY


DEMOGRAPHICS


PERCEPTIONS


NOISE COMPLAINTS


HEALTH IMPACTS


NOISE ABATEMENT


ADVOCACY STRATEGIES


SOUND MAPPING 


SOUND LEVEL MAPS


SOUND PERCEPTIONS


HEALTH OUTCOME MAPS


SOUNDSCAPES


COMMUNITY SOUND BITES


URBAN SOUND BITES


REPORT CARDS


GRADING METHODOLOGY


REPORT CARD LIST


ABOUT


OUR METHODOLOGY


OUR THANKS


OUR Q & A


OUR FUN FACTS


OUR COMMUNITY COMMENTS


OUR 2020 SURVEY


OUR EMAIL


OUR TEAM


OUR PRESS KIT


OUR TABLE OF CONTENTS


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