Data from: Maps made with smartphones highlight lower noise pollution during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown at four locations in Boston

Noise pollution in cities has major negative effects on the health of both
humans and wildlife. Using iPhones, we collected sound-level data at
hundreds of locations in four areas of Boston, Massachusetts (USA) before,
during, and after the fall 2020 pandemic lockdown, during which most
people were required to remain at home. These spatially dispersed
measurements allowed us to make detailed maps of noise pollution that are
not possible when using standard fixed sound equipment. The four sites
were: the Boston University campus (which sits between two highways), the
Fenway/Longwood area (which includes an urban park and several hospitals),
Harvard Square (home of Harvard University), and East Boston (a
residential area near Logan Airport). Across all four sites, sound levels
averaged 6.4 dB lower during the pandemic lockdown than after. Fewer high
noise measurements occurred during lockdown as well. The resulting sound
maps highlight noisy locations such as traffic intersections and quiet
locations such as parks. This project demonstrates that changes in human
activity can reduce noise pollution and that simple smartphone technology
can be used to make highly detailed maps of noise pollution that identify
sources of high sound levels potentially harmful to humans in urban
environments.