Neighborhood Reaction to Noise: A Survey and Correlation of Case Histories

Abstract

More than fifteen case histories involving the reaction of people in residential areas to intruding noise have been examined and correlated. In each case, statistical data on the physical characteristics of the noise (such as the level, spectrum, and time character) are examined, and the nature of the neighborhood reaction or response is described. The case histories cover a wide range of neighborhood reactions, which are arranged on a rank order scale from negligible complaints to vigorous legal action. On the basis of this experience, a scheme is suggested for predicting the reaction of a community to an intruding noise from a knowledge of pertinent physical characteristics of the noise in question and of noise to which the community has been exposed in the past. The procedure is to combine the physical properties of the stimulus into an empirical formula, from which a so-called composite noise rating is derived. The composite noise rating determines (within a range of statistical variability) the neighborhood response to the stimulus. The scheme breaks down in situations where public reaction is strongly influenced by emergencies or other stresses.