AN INVESTIGATION ON COMPLAINTS OF NOISE FROM MRT CONSTRUCTION SITES

Abstract

In Singapore, it is common to see construction works ongoing throughout the entire island. With construction works in such close proximity to residential and noise sensitive buildings, it is known that the noise can lead to many health problems. The government has stepped in to put in regulations to ensure that the contractors mitigate as much noise as possible. As such, this study aims to understand the efforts of contractors in dealing with noise issues. This dissertation examines the key areas of concern affecting the residents, the methods applied by the contractors to mitigate noise, and how effective are these methods. The research design is a case study in Zion Road with an ongoing construction work at Havelock Station under LTA’s Thomson-East Coast Line. It is an interpretive study on the affected parties are to understand the different points of view. Here “noise” is not an objective category, that is, it may be contested and subject to different interpretations. A simple example of different interpretation is found in the reversing noise from a truck. The beeping noise is a safety feature for all personnel on site and similarly seen by the authorities and contractors that it is not classified as a type of noise as it does not exceed the db(A) threshold set by NEA. On the contrary for residents, they face the beeping noise every night whilst the site prepares for the next day’s of work. The residents have described the noise as a daily terror that keeps them from their sleep in the middle of the night. The situation may be improved from better understanding of each parties definition of noise. Through better understanding, empathy can be developed to improve the feedback framework system to be more effective in attending to the needs of the residents. The existing feedback framework is also seen to be slow in response time, and an app is suggested to help improve the feedback system.