Noise In The News: Weekly Round-Up
by Quiet Communities Staff
Photo credit: Andrea Piacquadio
Ottawa study finds that car-free roads reduce noise and air pollution
A new study from Carleton University offers compelling evidence for what many noise advocates have long argued: removing cars from roads makes a measurable difference. Researchers took advantage of a natural experiment in Ottawa, where the National Capital Commission closes a segment of Queen Elizabeth Driveway to vehicle traffic on summer weekends. Measurements taken across 12 sites along a nearby multi-use pathway found statistically significant reductions in sound levels, fine particulate matter, and ultrafine particles during closures. A composite noise-air pollution index showed an overall 60% decrease in exposure, underscoring the real health benefits of car-free policies for people walking, cycling, and spending time outdoors.
Nationwide push back against data centers
As AI booms, so does data center construction. Around the country, noise is emerging as a significant and underreported concern for nearby communities. Beyond the well-documented strains on water and electricity resources, residents near proposed facilities have described the acoustic environment as everything from a constant hum to a relentless roar. Professionals in the field have also flagged concerns over infrasound (low-frequency sound below the threshold of human hearing), which has been found to impact cardiovascular health. From Monterey Park, California to Festus City, Missouri, local organizers are pushing back, and sometimes winning.
Disney reimagines songs in ASL for National Deaf History Month
In honor of National Deaf History Month, and in collaboration with Deaf West Theatre, Disney has reimagined three beloved songs from Frozen 2, Encanto, and Moana 2 in American Sign Language. The project was directed by veteran animator Hyrum Osmond, whose father is deaf, and reflects a deeply personal effort to bridge the gap between hearing and Deaf communities through art. For those of us who think about how sound shapes health, wellbeing, and human connection, this is a moving example of why hearing health matters. The films are available now on Disney+.
