What is the Quiet Score?
The Quiet Score measures how quiet and peaceful an area is, on a scale of 0 to 100. A higher score means a quieter, more livable area — better for living, sleeping, and overall well-being. It is calculated using real geographic data from OpenStreetMap to determine proximity to noise sources like highways, industries, and railways.
Scoring Formula
Quiet Score = (Highway Proximity × 0.40) + (Industrial Proximity × 0.25)
+ (Railway Proximity × 0.15) + (Highway Density × 0.10)
+ (Industrial Density × 0.10)
Parameter Breakdown
| Parameter |
Weight |
How It's Scored |
| Highway Proximity |
40% |
Distance to nearest motorway/trunk/primary road. 0m = 0 points, ≥2000m = 100 points. Linear interpolation. |
| Industrial Proximity |
25% |
Distance to nearest industrial zone. 0m = 0 points, ≥2000m = 100 points. Linear interpolation. |
| Railway Proximity |
15% |
Distance to nearest rail/light rail track. 0m = 0 points, ≥2000m = 100 points. |
| Highway Density |
10% |
Count of major roads within 2km. 0 roads = 100 points, ≥10 roads = 0 points. |
| Industrial Density |
10% |
Count of industrial zones within 2km. 0 zones = 100 points, ≥5 zones = 0 points. |
How Noise Levels are Estimated
Daytime and nighttime noise levels (dB) are estimated using the FHWA Traffic Noise Model (simplified). The model calculates noise attenuation based on distance:
L(d) = L₀ - 20 × log₁₀(d / d₀)
Where L₀ is source noise at reference distance d₀
| Source | Reference Level | At 100m | At 500m | At 1000m |
|---|
| Major Highway | 78 dB @ 10m | 58 dB | 44 dB | 38 dB |
| Industrial Zone | 70 dB @ 50m | 64 dB | 50 dB | 44 dB |
| Railway (Leq) | 60 dB @ 25m | 48 dB | 34 dB | 28 dB |
| Airport | 75 dB @ 1km | — | 81 dB | 75 dB |
Nighttime noise is estimated to be 5–10 dB lower than daytime (reduced traffic, no industrial operations). Multiple sources are combined using logarithmic addition.
CPCB Noise Standards (India)
The Central Pollution Control Board classifies areas into 4 noise zones with specific limits:
| Zone | Day Limit | Night Limit | Typical Areas |
|---|
| Industrial | 75 dB | 70 dB | Factory areas, manufacturing hubs (Siltara, Urla) |
| Commercial | 65 dB | 55 dB | Markets, commercial zones (Pandri, Malviya Road) |
| Residential | 55 dB | 45 dB | Housing colonies, wards (Shankar Nagar, Tatibandh) |
| Silence | 50 dB | 40 dB | Near hospitals, schools, courts (within 100m) |
Score Interpretation
| Score Range | Rating | What It Means |
|---|
| 80–100 | Excellent | Very quiet, far from all noise sources — ideal for families and health-conscious residents |
| 60–79 | Good | Generally peaceful with minimal noise intrusion — suitable for comfortable living |
| 40–59 | Moderate | Some noise from traffic or industrial areas — consider soundproofing improvements |
| 20–39 | Below Average | Noticeable noise pollution — may affect sleep quality and daily comfort |
| 0–19 | Poor | High noise exposure — health risks from prolonged exposure (stress, hearing, cardiovascular) |
Worked Example
Example: An area with highways 800m away, 3 highways in 2km, industrial zone 1200m away, 1 industrial zone, railway 1500m away
Highway Proximity: (800 / 2000) × 100 = 40.0 → × 0.40 = 16.0
Industrial Proximity: (1200 / 2000) × 100 = 60.0 → × 0.25 = 15.0
Railway Proximity: (1500 / 2000) × 100 = 75.0 → × 0.15 = 11.3
Highway Density: (1 - 3/10) × 100 = 70.0 → × 0.10 = 7.0
Industrial Density: (1 - 1/5) × 100 = 80.0 → × 0.10 = 8.0
Total Quiet Score = 16.0 + 15.0 + 11.3 + 7.0 + 8.0 = 57.3/100 (Moderate — some noise from traffic and industry)
Data Sources
- OpenStreetMap (via Overpass API) — highway, industrial, and railway proximity data
- FHWA Traffic Noise Model — simplified noise attenuation estimation
- CPCB Noise Rules, 2000 — ambient noise standards for Indian cities
- WHO Environmental Noise Guidelines (2018) — health-based recommended limits