This map shows modeled outdoor noise across 18076 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 593 18076 residents, or 29.6%, live above that level. By land area, 38.3% of 18076 is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in 18076 compares to similar-sized zip codes.
Noise by Part of 18076
Average noise levels for 18076 residents, grouped by direction from the center of 18076. The highest population-weighted average is in central 18076; the lowest is in southern 18076, where just 31% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, three-quarters of the share in the loudest section.
Central 18076
37% of people above 55 dBA
Northern 18076
31% of people above 55 dBA
Southern 18076
31% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in central 18076 sounds about 11% louder than in southern 18076, a 1.5 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 Main St do you need to be?
Main St produces an estimated 62 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 25% of 18076 sits under tree canopy (about average for zip codes) and roughly 41% 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.