SINGAPORE MRT VIADUCT NOISE: A REVIEW OF LEGISLATION AND MITIGATION MEASURES

Abstract

The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) railway system is an essential form of public transport for Singapore’s residents. An unavoidable consequence of the MRT lines is the noise and vibration generated by the trains. With Singapore being densely populated, there are MRT lines that run above the ground on viaducts that are in close proximity to high-rise residences, mainly Housing Development Board (HDB) flats. Noise from the trains intrudes into these residences and has the potential to affect the residents’ amenity and sleep. Many of these flats are also naturally ventilated, whereby the windows are open or partially open, facilitating noise ingress into living areas and bedrooms. Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) has recently produced a document entitled the Technical Guideline for Land Traffic Noise Impact Assessment. This guideline serves as “soft” legislation and under this Guideline, new residential and noise-sensitive developments located 70m from a MRT line would be subjected to a noise impact assessment. Notwithstanding the NEA guidelines, the Singapore government’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) is currently in the process of implementing the Railway Noise Barrier Programme. This paper has selected two sections of the MRT line in Singapore where noise barriers have been installed for further analysis. Noise modelling has been conducted to evaluate the noise benefit of the installed noise barriers. The paper also provides recommendations for mitigation measures and improvements to the NEA Guidelines.