New, Innovative Mobile App to Better Understand the City's Noise

Learn more at TheCityLife.org

Episode Transcript

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NYC Noise let's New Yorkers measure, classify and track
decibel levels and noise types. Real time data will help
identify hotspots and guide targeted enforcement.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection, DEP
today announced the release of NYC Noise, a new innovative

(00:20):
mobile application that will help both residents and DEP gain
a deeper understanding of the city S noise.
Available for free on iPhone andAndroid, the app enables users
to record decibel levels, classify noise types, and
visualize noise levels in their surroundings while providing
valuable data to DEP. Using the app, New Yorkers can

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document the time, date, location, and source of a noise
by taking a simple 5 second reading.
Results appear in both map and table formats, showing average
and maximum decibel levels, along with user notes on noise
types such as construction, traffic, or music.
By allowing New Yorkers to measure and track noise in their

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neighborhood, DEP can better analyze citywide noise patterns.
This data will help DEP identifyhotspots and guide targeted
enforcement efforts. Noise is the top source of 311
complaints citywide, and DEP is responsible for enforcing New
York City S air and Noise code. However, traditional complaints

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often lack precise data on decibel levels and timing,
making enforcement more challenging.
The data entered by users will not be used for specific
enforcement actions and the noise itself will not be
recorded, just the decibel level.
However, the metrics captured bythe app will help fill key data

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gaps, showing how loud the noiseis, when it occurs, and what
type it is. This data-driven approach will
help DEP deploy inspectors more efficiently and focus
enforcement efforts where and when they are needed most.
For example, if user inputs showthat jackhammering typically
occurs at a certain location between 8:00 and 10:00 AM, DEP

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can schedule inspections during that window.
Noise types can be classified asalarms, construction work, dog,
animal noise, HVAC, fan noise, loud music, sirens, traffic,
cars, buses or horns. Users can also review their
noise history log, which displays the average and maximum

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decibel levels, date, duration, location and noise type for each
entry. As more users record noise data,
DEP will eventually compile the information into a citywide
noise map, allowing the agency to identify hotspots, trends by
time of day, day of the week, season, and the types of noise

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most common in certain neighborhoods.
The NYC Noise app will be available for download from both
the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in mid November.
About the NYC Department of Environmental Protection DEP
protects the health and safety of New Yorkers by enforcing the
air and noise codes and asbestosrules.

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DEP also manages New York City Swater supply, providing
approximately 1 billion gallons of high quality drinking water
each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.5 million
in New York City. The water is delivered from a
watershed that extends more than125 miles from the city,

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comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes.
Approximately 7000 miles of water mains, tunnels and
aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the
five boroughs, and 7500 miles ofsewer lines and 96 pump stations
take wastewater to 14 in city treatment plants.

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For more information, visit nyc.gov DEP, like us on
Facebook, or follow us on X.