This map shows modeled outdoor noise across Van 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 211 Van residents, or 7.0%, live above that level. By land area, 15.1% of Van is above 55 dBA.
See how noise in Van compares to similar-sized cities.
Noise by Part of Van
Average noise levels for Van residents, grouped by direction from the center of Van. The highest population-weighted average is in western Van; the lowest is in eastern Van, where just 7% of residents live in blocks above the EPA's 55 dBA threshold, three-quarters of the share in the loudest section.
Western Van
9% of people above 55 dBA
Southwestern Van
10% of people above 55 dBA
Central Van
10% of people above 55 dBA
Northeastern Van
6% of people above 55 dBA
Eastern Van
7% of people above 55 dBA
To the human ear, noise in western Van sounds about 107% louder than in eastern Van, 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 I-20 do you need to be?
I-20 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 soft rainfall.
Calculated from the model's calibrated attenuation formula. About 15% of Van sits under tree canopy (lighter than most cities) and roughly 12% 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.