'HowLoud' is a new service that helps prospective buyers or renters figure out how noisy a neighborhood will be. When moving to a new area, few consumers consider the level of sound coming from traffic, industrial activities and other sources of urban noise. This service provides a handy noise score so that consumers can 'hear' their house before they move.
HowLoud was created by Brendan Farrell as a way to calculate the level of noise in urban areas. The service works by taking account of traffic, air traffic, businesses and other sources of urban noise. A mathematical model is then used to generate a 3D digital sound profile of the area. Finally, a score is assigned to each address, which ranks the noise level out of 100. Similar to platforms such as Walk Score, HowLoud is designed to give consumers more information before buying or renting in a certain area.
Farrell has already successful mapped the city of Los Angeles and is now raising funds via Kickstarter to expand the project.
Urban Noise-Scoring Platforms
'HowLoud' Calculates the Loudness Factor for Different Neighborhoods
Trend Themes
1. Urban Noise-scoring - There is an opportunity to create more specialized services that target specific types of urban noise, such as construction sites or nightclubs.
2. Spatial Sound Modeling - The technology used in calculating 3D digital sound profiles could have applications in virtual and augmented reality, as well as in the film and music industries.
3. Hyper-localized Information Services - The success of HowLoud suggests that there may be demand for more personalized information services that provide detailed data about specific neighborhoods or streets.
Industry Implications
1. Real Estate - Real estate professionals could use this technology to better inform clients about the level of urban noise in different neighborhoods and increase the accuracy of property valuations.
2. City Planning - Noise-scoring platforms could be used by city planners to identify areas that require noise reduction measures or to design new construction projects that minimize noise pollution.
3. Travel and Tourism - Tourism providers could use this technology to create specialized packages for visitors who are looking for a quieter travel experience or to avoid certain areas that may be too noisy.