SOURCE: Mustafa Shafawi / Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid
SINGAPORE: Residents living near open MRT tracks may soon find relief from the loud noise of passing trains. The Land Transport Authority is embarking on an island-wide study to identify locations that require special attention to reduce noise.
The island-wide study will be conducted concurrently with the multi-agency study jointly led by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and LTA on road and rail noise which is currently on-going.
LTA said it has already installed low noise-barriers at Jurong East Modification Project (JEMP). It has also started a pilot project to install low-noise barriers near Bishan MRT station.
Trains entering or leaving Bishan MRT Station go through a tunnel and LTA said the tunnel's unique design amplifies noise when trains exit from it. This is known as the "trumpet effect."
The train tracks are just 26 to 35 metres from a nearby six-storey block, 503 at Bishan Street 11.
And the rumblings have been a nuisance for residents like Mr Chua. He has been living on the third floor for 20 years and tries to shut out the noise by closing his windows. He said it is worse in the morning as trains pass by more frequently.
He said: "The noise is very loud, when you 'on' the television you cannot hear. You can ask the rest of the residents, they also have the same problem."
The noise level is said to be worse for those living on higher floors.
Things are set to improve by middle next year. LTA will install two-metre tall barriers, stretching 180 metres insulated with materials, such as rock wool which absorb noise. The barriers will be extended at least 25 metres into the tunnel.
For now, LTA said the train noise is within 80-85 decibels, which is like listening to loud music in a room.
The move is expected to reduce noise by at least five decibels, to within 75-80 decibels, which LTA said will be like listening to someone practising on the piano.
LTA will call for a tender to install low noise barriers at Bishan later this month. Work is expected to begin in September.
LTA said the installation of noise barriers is a complex procedure. It can be done during non-operational hours which is typically between 1.30am and 4am. Drilling works will go on for about a month and LTA said residents will be informed about this.
More of such barriers could be installed at other locations. This will depend on the outcome of LTA's noise measurement study.
The study will cover more than 500 blocks located close to MRT viaducts or open tracks. It will be completed by the second quarter of next year.
LTA said with an ageing MRT system which has been in operation for the past 24 years, some residents living close to MRT viaducts may experience higher noise levels. And increased train frequencies could add to the problem.
-CNA/cc/ac
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SINGAPORE: Residents living near open MRT tracks may soon find relief from the loud noise of passing trains. The Land Transport Authority is embarking on an island-wide study to identify locations that require special attention to reduce noise.
The island-wide study will be conducted concurrently with the multi-agency study jointly led by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and LTA on road and rail noise which is currently on-going.
LTA said it has already installed low noise-barriers at Jurong East Modification Project (JEMP). It has also started a pilot project to install low-noise barriers near Bishan MRT station.
Trains entering or leaving Bishan MRT Station go through a tunnel and LTA said the tunnel's unique design amplifies noise when trains exit from it. This is known as the "trumpet effect."
The train tracks are just 26 to 35 metres from a nearby six-storey block, 503 at Bishan Street 11.
And the rumblings have been a nuisance for residents like Mr Chua. He has been living on the third floor for 20 years and tries to shut out the noise by closing his windows. He said it is worse in the morning as trains pass by more frequently.
He said: "The noise is very loud, when you 'on' the television you cannot hear. You can ask the rest of the residents, they also have the same problem."
The noise level is said to be worse for those living on higher floors.
Things are set to improve by middle next year. LTA will install two-metre tall barriers, stretching 180 metres insulated with materials, such as rock wool which absorb noise. The barriers will be extended at least 25 metres into the tunnel.
For now, LTA said the train noise is within 80-85 decibels, which is like listening to loud music in a room.
The move is expected to reduce noise by at least five decibels, to within 75-80 decibels, which LTA said will be like listening to someone practising on the piano.
LTA will call for a tender to install low noise barriers at Bishan later this month. Work is expected to begin in September.
LTA said the installation of noise barriers is a complex procedure. It can be done during non-operational hours which is typically between 1.30am and 4am. Drilling works will go on for about a month and LTA said residents will be informed about this.
More of such barriers could be installed at other locations. This will depend on the outcome of LTA's noise measurement study.
The study will cover more than 500 blocks located close to MRT viaducts or open tracks. It will be completed by the second quarter of next year.
LTA said with an ageing MRT system which has been in operation for the past 24 years, some residents living close to MRT viaducts may experience higher noise levels. And increased train frequencies could add to the problem.
-CNA/cc/ac
