The graphs below are based on residents’ responses to our Community Noise Survey.
(To view the sound levels that the survey data reflects, visit our noise-monitoring page.)
1. Providence Residents’ Experience of Excessive Noise
GRAPH NARRATIVES: Four out of five Providence residents who took the survey reported noticing noise on a recurring basis (i.e., not simply getting used to it). Significantly, nearly half report frequent sleep disruption — a major health threat — from noise, and another third are awoken by it at least sometimes. And more than 90% of participants report recurrent exposure to at least one source of vehicle noise (and usually more than one), making motor vehicles the single most-prevalent source of noise in the city.1
2. What Providence Residents Do Themselves in Response to Excessive Noise
GRAPH NARRATIVES: An overwhelming majority of Providence residents (86%) respond to excessive noise by taking personal actions to try to avoid it before reporting it to the city, with nearly two-thirds saying they frequently adapt their behavior to avoid noise. Over 75% close their windows and nearly half go inside their homes — which, due to increasing intervals of higher summer heat, means they either have to pay increasing electricity rates to run air-conditioners or fans, or simply swelter indoors, which can be dangerous. More than half report having to run a fan or other “white noise” in order to sleep, and one-third are forced to either move to another room (temporarily or relocating a bedroom) and / or even leave their homes to avoid noise.
3. When and How Providence Residents Seek the City’s Help to Reduce Noise
GRAPH NARRATIVES: When Providence residents’ personal actions (described in section 2 above) are insufficient to avoid prolonged exposure to excessive noise, 75% say they report noise to the city at least sometimes — and more than half do so more frequently — primarily by calling the police. More than one-third of residents risk potentially violent confrontation by asking those responsible to make less noise. Slightly fewer contact city officials other than the police, such as PVD311. Only a quarter contact their City Council member.
Perhaps most damning is that 87% of Providence residents who currently don’t report noise say they would do so if they knew something would be done about it. In other words, their reticence to report noise isn’t because they oppose enforcement of noise laws, but the contrary — they want the PVD to actually take enforcement seriously. If those residents felt the city would respond effectively to noise complaints, it would push the proportion of those reporting noise to a staggering 96%.
4. Residents’ Experience Reporting Noise and What They Think PVD Should Do About it
GRAPH NARRATIVES: Only 35% of Providence residents say contacting the city leads to less noise — half say there’s no obvious effect from doing so. Not surprisingly, four out of five have considered moving out of the city due to excessive noise. More than two-thirds or residents say the city needs to increase enforcement of existing noise limits, and nearly as many would like those ordinances to be stricter and more comprehensive.
More than half of Providence residents support technology such as noise cameras, want the city to monitor noise levels, think it should conduct a public education campaign to inform residents about the adverse health effect of noise, and issue regular reports on noise levels. Mayor Smiley endorsed the last three policies as a candidate, but reneged on them once he was elected.
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1 Graph labels: “Music from vehicles” refers to over-amplified mobile sound systems. “Loud exhausts” refers to any vehicle (including motorcycles / ATVs) with non-compliant mufflers. “Music from houses” refers to over-amplified sound systems at residences. “Commercial trucks” refers to garbage trucks, cargo trucks, etc. “Stopped vehicle horns” refers to vehicles using their horns while not driving (e.g., to summon people from buildings). “Emergency vehicles” refers to police car, fire truck, and ambulance sirens. “Music from venues” refers to over-amplified music from commercial establishments such as licensed bars, clubs, and restaurants. The survey question also includes an “Other” option, where residents can define additional sources of noise they’re exposed to — each of which is <1% of all responses. The proposed deployment of noise cameras in Providence would address the two most frequently cited sources of noise — over-amplified stereos and modified mufflers — indicated by the two disproportionately tall vertical bars on the left of the Sources of Noise graph.