This map shows modeled outdoor noise across 15716 at 100-meter resolution, combining road, aviation, and rail sources. Green areas measure below 45 dBA. Orange and red exceed the EPA's 55 dBA outdoor threshold linked to long-term health effects. Use the layer toggles to view each source on its own or all together.
What the numbers sound like
- 30 dBAWhisper
- 40 dBASoft rainfall
- 45 dBAQuiet suburban street at night
- 50 dBAQuiet office
- 55 dBAEPA outdoor threshold: light traffic 100 ft away
- 60 dBANormal conversation an arm's length away
- 65 dBABusy restaurant
- 70 dBAHighway traffic 50 ft away
- 80 dBACity bus interior
Population Above the EPA Outdoor Threshold
The EPA's 55 dBA outdoor reference level is a common benchmark for residential noise exposure, especially for activity interference, annoyance, and long-term community noise concerns. About 171 15716 residents, or 31.3%, live above that level. By land area, 47.6% of 15716 is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in 15716 compares to similar-sized zip codes.
Noise by Part of 15716
Average noise levels for 15716 residents, grouped by direction from the center of 15716. Western 15716 carries the highest population-weighted average; Southern 15716 carries the lowest. Just 10% of residents in Southern 15716 live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, a fifth of the share in Western 15716.
Central 15716
14% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern 15716
4% of people above 55 dBA
Northern 15716
25% of people above 55 dBA
Southern 15716
10% of people above 55 dBA
Western 15716
89% of people above 55 dBA
Western 15716 sounds about 148% louder than Southern 15716 to the human ear, a 13.1 dBA gap. Every 10 dBA roughly doubles perceived loudness. Within any of these directions, two homes a quarter mile apart can still differ by 10 or more dBA depending on how close they sit to a major highway.
How far back from do you need to be?
produces an estimated 68 dBA at its loudest centerline points. Noise drops logarithmically with distance, with the exact rate depending on what's between you and the road. Tree cover, walls, terrain, and pavement type all matter. At roughly a quarter mile back, traffic fades into the noise level of a soft rainfall.
Calculated from the model's calibrated attenuation formula. About 46% of 15716 sits under tree canopy (heavier than most zip codes) and roughly 21% is impervious surface like pavement and rooftops. Both are folded into the per-place decay rate above. Heavier canopy pulls noise down faster with distance; impervious surfaces slow the drop.