This map shows modeled outdoor noise across North End 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 4,225 North End residents, or 29.7%, live above that level. By land area, 35.5% of North End is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in North End compares to similar-sized neighborhoods.
Noise by Part of North End
Average noise levels for North End residents, grouped by direction from the center of North End. The highest population-weighted average is in northern North End; the lowest is in western North End, where just 12% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, a third of the share in the loudest section.
Northern North End
40% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern North End
40% of people above 55 dBA
Northeastern North End
22% of people above 55 dBA
Central North End
21% of people above 55 dBA
Western North End
12% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in northern North End sounds about 83% louder than in western North End, a 8.7 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 Madison Av do you need to be?
Madison Av produces an estimated 59 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 34% of North End sits under tree canopy (much heavier than most neighborhoods) and roughly 42% 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.