Community Noise Survey

of the

Citizens Noise Advisory Group
of Greater Albuquerque

Done in cooperation with
THE NOISE CENTER
of the League for the Hard of Hearing

April 1999

The Citizens for a Quiet Environment, as part of their effort to gather information on noise problems in Albuquerque, cooperated with the Noise Center of the League for the Hard of Hearing in conducting a Community Noise Survey. Respondents were secured during and Earth Day fair at the Nob Hill Shopping Center on April 18th and then at a public meeting sponsored by CQE in the Community room of Winrock Mall on April 21st - International Noise Awareness Day.

A total of 107 people participated in the survey. To insure that the study reflected representation from the 15% of the general population that is hearing impaired, 10 individuals in the Albuquerque Chapter of SHHH (Self Help for the Hard of Hearing) also participated in the survey during their monthly meeting at Lovelace Medical Center on April 10th.

The results of the survey indicate that noise from various sources has an everyday impact on the lives of Albuquerque residents with 62% saying it interferes with their ability to keep their windows open and 43% saying it interferes with their sleep. Their annoyance has lead 41% to phone in a complaint to various City offices that, they reported, received no response 51% of the time.

The responses to various noises sources contained in the survey were weighted from 1 (for never) to 5 (for always), computed using the total responses registered for each noise source and then recorded in a computer generated graph. The graphing of the responses shows that the most troublesome noise source is loud automotive audio systems. This was, to a degree, the same finding reported in the Albuquerque Environmental health Department's noise study done in 1998. Most other findings in the two reports, in regard to troublesome noise sources, mirror each other. Loud car stereos, barking dogs, traffic noise and aircraft noise are four of the top five complaints in both studies. findings of the EHD survey are included here for comparison purposes. Because they were the most highly annoyed, those residents who called in complaints about noise were disturbed mostly by the hot button issues of barking dogs, car stereos and aircraft.

The results of this study will be used by CQE for guidance in their planned report of recommendations to the City for revision of the noise node and also for an overall policy on noise abatement and control. They will also be sent to the Noise Center in New York for inclusion in their international study.

Stephen O. Frazier, Chairman
Citizens for a Quiet Environment
May 1, 1999

The noise in my neighborhood interferes with my:

Ability to keep windows open	62% of those responding
Listen to TV	30% of those responding
Talk on the phone	33% of those responding
Talk to others	25% of those responding
Sleep	43% of those responding

The noise makes me feel:

Angry	44% of those responding
Annoyed	74% of those responding
Helpless	36% of those responding

Have you ever complained to the police or government about the noise in your neighborhood?

Yes	41% of those responding
No	59% of those responding

Was there a government/police response to your complaint?

Yes	49% of those responding
No	51% of those responding

Should the Police be equipped with sound level meters in order to immediately take readings and enforce code violations?

Yes	98% of those responding
No	2% of those responding

Do you feel noise pollution has increased in the City in the last 10 years?

Yes	99% of those responding
No	1% of those responding

Should the City pay a reasonable premium to purchase "quiet" equipment, paving materials or other "quiet" technology?

Yes	86% of those responding
No	14% of those responding

Hearing Noise Complaints

Noise sources mentioned or other comments written by respondents to the Community Noise Survey:

(+1 indicates another respondents made the same or similar statement)

"Annoyed to the point of moving, leaving Albuquerque if something isn't done!"
Airplanes was complaint called in +1+1+1+1
"Airport needs to start planning its move to a different location"
Barking dog was complaint called in +1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1
"Believe noise ordinance should be enforced - not by police, they have enough to deal with"
Boom box was complaint called in +1+1+1
Boom car was complaint called in +1+1
Boom cars are major complaint +1+1+1+1+1+1
Car alarm was complaint called in
Car alarms and house alarms are very disruptive and don't prevent thefts"
Car lot speakers added as noise source +1
"Doubletalk" from city official to noise complaint
Early A.M. animal noise was reason for called in complaint
Electronic music - there should be an ordinance against it in public period!
Happy hour at restaurant was noise complaint called in
"Have never felt that the city responded to my complaints"
Helicopters were complaint called in +1+1+1
"Hearing loss is for life - wish I knew then what I know now"
Ice cream truck was complaint called in +1
"Just try to get an answer on the 'hot line'. City can't be reached on weekends"
Loud Music or party was complaint called in +1+1+1
Motorcycles was complaint called in +1
Motorcycles - do something about them
Music in stores and even parking lots is complaint
"Noise makes me feel crazy and want to leave Albuquerque" +1
"Noise is getting out of control - I'm a lifelong resident and remember quiet days"
"Noise is a public health issue that is underplayed in our culture"
"Police state the current ordinance is unenforceable" +1
"Police don't want to be bothered with noise complaints and I feel like I'm the problem" +1
Skateboards were complaint called in +1+1
"Something should be done about ice cream trucks"

Noise Complaints Ranked by Severity of the Problem to Respondents in Albuquerque
Environmental Noise Study - 1998:

1. Booming Bass
2. Dogs barking
3. Traffic noise
4. Aircraft noise
5. Ice cream trucks
6. Motorcycles
6. City services
8. voices of children
9. Power lawn equipment
10. Public works
11. commercial sources
12. Air conditioners

Responses when asked who to contact with noise complaints in Albuquerque Environmental Noise Study - 1998:
1. Don't know	52%
2. Call police	18%
3. Call EHD	10%
4. Call Mayor	6%
5. Assorted others	14%

Complaints phoned to CQE in response to Abq. Journal newspaper story group:
1. Commercial or industrial noise	14 calls
2. Noise in general	6 calls
3. Barking dogs	6 calls
4. Loud car stereos	6 calls
5. Traffic noise	5 calls
6. Loud background music	3 calls
7. Helicopters	1 call
8. Loud movies	1 call
9. Neighbors	1 call

Does the noise in your neighborhood interfere with your
Ability to keep windows open	66
Listen to the radio/TV	32
Talk on the phone	35
Talk to others	27
Sleep	46

How does the noise make you feel?
Angry	47
Annoyed	79
Helpless	38
Overwhelmed	23
Upset	35

Have you ever complained to the police or government about the noise in your neighborhood?
Yes	40
No	58

If yes, was there a response?
Yes	0
No	0

Should the Police be equipped with sound level meters in order to immediately take readings and enforce code violations?
Yes	59
No	2

Do you feel noise pollution has increased in the City in the last 10 years?
Yes	91
No	1

Should the City pay a reasonable premium to purchase "quiet" equipment, paving materials or other "quiet" technology?
Yes	91
No	1