Honk - bang - whir - whiz - roar - ding - beep - chug - boom - rattle - hum - screech - boom. More than 2000 years ago, the residents of Rome, Italy complained about the disturbing noise from chariots racing through the city's cobbled streets at night. Ever since then the sound of civilization's progress and development have led to the recognizable sounds of construction and manufacturing noise, exhausts and impact noise, horns, and sirens, etc. Also with the development of musical instruments musical sounds became an issue. Some of these sounds were welcome and some were not. Civilization's "progress" can at times seem to disturb the general tranquility of everyday life. Each observer makes the determination of the difference between "sound" and "noise." For example a perennial source of tension between parent and child is the optimal level at which music or television is enjoyed. As technology advanced so did methods to measure sound and a determination of what types of sounds created a nuisance and also at which levels noise disturbed people and effected their ability to work or rest. The City of New York is the most populous city in the United States, with its metropolitan area ranking among the largest urban areas in the world. Its size and population brings with it its own set of unique and challenging noise issues. Almost everyone enjoys certain sounds of the City. The bustle of kids playing and laughing in a park is welcome. Also welcome are the happy cheers at sporting and other public events. However, blasting stereos, honking horns, un-muffled exhausts and ear-splitting jackhammering can ruin a good night's sleep and diminishes the city's quality of life.
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