Transportation noise mapped for Houston, other US cities

Road noise map of Houston and surrounding area

HOUSTON – In the initial National Transportation Noise Map released by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation, more than 97 percent of the U.S. population has the potential to be exposed to noise from aviation and interstate highways at levels below 50 decibels, or roughly comparable to the noise level of a humming refrigerator.

A much smaller segment of the U.S. resident population has the potential to be exposed to higher levels of aviation and interstate highway noise.

Recommended Videos



Less than one-tenth of a percent of the population could potentially experience noise levels of 80 decibels or more.

In Houston, road and aviation noise is understandably louder in the areas around the airports.

Bush Intercontinental Airport, Hobby Airport and Ellington Airport generate the highest levels in the city, while the many freeways also generate a substantial amount of noise.

Comparable sounds for decibel levels:

  • Less than 50: Refrigerator humming (~40 dBA)
  • 50 to 59: Quiet office (~50 dBA)
  • 60 to 69: Conversational speech (~60 dBA)
  • 70 to 79: Vacuum cleaner (~70 dBA)
  • 80 or more: Garbage disposal (~80 dBA)

Take a look at the Houston area compared to other major cities in Texas and the country in the slideshow below.

[PHOTOS: National Transportation noise map of Houston, other major cities]

The purpose of the noise map is to facilitate the tracking of trends in transportation-related noise, by mode, and collectively for multiple transportation modes. The data allow viewing the national picture of potential exposure to aviation and highway noise. The data also allow viewing of the potential exposure at the state or county level.

The department is hoping to include maritime noise and rail noise in the future map releases.