This map shows modeled outdoor noise across NE-Sterling 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 2,919 NE-Sterling residents, or 69.0%, live above that level. By land area, 73.5% of NE-Sterling is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in NE-Sterling compares to similar-sized neighborhoods.
Noise by Part of NE-Sterling
Average noise levels for NE-Sterling residents, grouped by direction from the center of NE-Sterling. The highest population-weighted average is in southeastern NE-Sterling; the lowest is in eastern NE-Sterling, where just 32% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, about half the share in the loudest section.
Southeastern NE-Sterling
72% of people above 55 dBA
Central NE-Sterling
48% of people above 55 dBA
Western NE-Sterling
41% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern NE-Sterling
32% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in southeastern NE-Sterling sounds about 107% louder than in eastern NE-Sterling, a 10.5 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 Foothill Fwy do you need to be?
Foothill Fwy produces an estimated 76 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 quiet suburban street at night.
Calculated from the model's calibrated attenuation formula. About 7% of NE-Sterling sits under tree canopy (lighter than most neighborhoods) and roughly 40% 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.