This map shows modeled outdoor noise across Park City 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 1,469 Park City residents, or 39.5%, live above that level. By land area, 42.0% of Park City is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in Park City compares to similar-sized neighborhoods.
Noise by Part of Park City
Average noise levels for Park City residents, grouped by direction from the center of Park City. The highest population-weighted average is in northern Park City; the lowest is in eastern Park City, where just 31% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, about two-thirds of the share in the loudest section.
Northern Park City
54% of people above 55 dBA
Northwestern Park City
54% of people above 55 dBA
Southwestern Park City
41% of people above 55 dBA
Southern Park City
34% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern Park City
31% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in northern Park City sounds about 72% louder than in eastern Park City, a 7.8 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 C715 do you need to be?
C715 produces an estimated 55 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 32% of Park City sits under tree canopy (much heavier than most neighborhoods) and roughly 30% 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.