Benefits of Noise Barriers along MRT Tracks

84 Ms Tin Pei Ling asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether the intended benefit of noise barriers that are constructed along MRT tracks has been achieved; (b) whether the Ministry will consider covering more areas in which residents' quality of life has been adversely affected; and (c) whether the qualifying threshold can be lowered to less than 67 dBA.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: The noise barriers installed along MRT tracks have reduced the noise level from passing trains by around five decibels.

However, the installation of noise barriers incurs resources and takes up precious engineering hours that are needed for maintenance and improvement works. LTA is, therefore, focusing its attention on residential areas where the noise level exceeds NEA's recommended threshold of 67 decibels averaged over an hour.

LTA is also working with train manufacturers and operators to mitigate noise in other ways. These include fitting trains with noise-dampening wheels; using ballast and concrete sleepers on the elevated tracks, which are better able to absorb vibration and noise compared to the concrete slab track used in the underground tunnels; and servicing train wheels and tracks even more frequently.