The graphs below are generated from resident responses to our Community Noise Survey. City-wide noise map coming soon.
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. How Providence Residents Respond to Excessive Noise

GRAPH NARRATIVES: Nearly two-thirds of Providence residents report frequently taking action to avoid noise, with more than 75% forced to close windows and nearly half to go inside — which means that on hot days they either have to spend money to run air-conditioners or fans, or swelter indoors. Similarly, more than half report having to run a fan or other “white noise” all night in order to sleep, and a third are forced to either move to another room or leave their homes to avoid noise. Over a third risk a confrontation by asking people to make less noise, and / or contact city officials besides police. (Only 25% contact their City Council member.) Yet only 35% say that seeking help leads to less noise.
3. Providence Residents’ Views on Reporting and Addressing Noise

GRAPH NARRATIVES: 75% of Providence residents surveyed say they report noise to the city at least sometimes, and 59% do so more frequently. A stunning 87% of those who say they never report noise also say they would do so if they knew that something would be done about it — in other words, their reticence to report noise is not because they oppose enforcement, but the contrary: They want the city to actually take enforcement seriously (as reflected by the 49% in Section Two above who say that reporting noise has no effect). If those residents were convinced the city would respond effectively to noise complaints, it would push the percentage of inhabitants who report noise to a staggering 96%.
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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.