Vehicular Noise Reduction Measures for Residential Buildings Adjacent to Expressways

Mr Shawn Loh asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment whether the Ministry will consider (a) setting vehicle noise thresholds at the receptor (i.e. at the facade of the nearest residential building) next to expressways, such as at HDB flats at Whampoa adjacent to the CTE; and (b) installing noise reducing vegetation or panels, should such thresholds be breached.

Since July 2016, the National Environment Agency has required Land Traffic Noise Impact Assessments to be conducted for: (a) new residential and noise-sensitive developments located near existing land traffic noise hotspots, such as new hospitals near existing expressways, as well as (b) new major land transport infrastructure located near existing residential and noise-sensitive developments, such as new above-ground MRT tracks near existing residential premises. This ensures that vehicle noise affecting nearby residential receptors is appropriately mitigated at the land use planning and design stage.

To reduce noise disamenities to residents near major roads and expressways in existing developments, the Land Transport Authority works with relevant agencies to implement appropriate noise mitigation measures, such as low-noise pavement mix, noise barriers and vegetation, where feasible.