How Noisy is Your College Campus?
Ranking College Campus Noise
Just how loud is your college campus? No, we are not talking about your neighbors. We are asking the question in a broader sense to determine how loud a college campus gets given its geographic location. Whether you are thinking about attending a state university or private college, understanding the noise levels in your community will help you better navigate life in and around campus.
The Data Behind the Noise
The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently published an interactive map answering the very question at hand. The map uses a 24-hour equivalent sound level noise metric that includes all overt and ambient noise at a defined noise receptor. The noise levels shown on the map denote an approximate average noise energy produced from road transportation and aviation along with other noise-producing modalities. The interactive map data is culled from a number of different government agencies from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to the FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) to triangulate noise for a given locale.
Which city was ranked highest for noise?
If you guessed the city with the highest noise rating was Los Angeles, you would be correct. The map below gives users a quick overview of the greater Los Angeles area where the deep red hue indicates the highest levels of noise. According to NPR, Los Angeles was ranked first in the nation for traffic congestion resulting in an additional 170 hours spent sitting in traffic.
One of the next highest areas of noise is around New York. The map below illustrates the noise levels for various parts of the city given the aggregated information from various government agencies.
How much noise does your college campus generate?
To find out, simply utilize the USDOT’s interactive map to help figure out the noise energy being produced in and around your campus. A noise index can be used by current and prospective college students to assess variables involved in their college experience. Much like the utilization of a WalkScore, the USDOT’s interactive noise map is another tool available at your disposal.
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