Installation of Noise Barriers on MRT Tracks near Residential Areas and Proposal to Reduce Train Speed near Residential Areas

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Transport regarding MRT tracks located near residential areas (a) how does LTA collaborate with other agencies in planning and implementation of noise barriers along these tracks; (b) whether LTA has considered the potential increase in noise levels due to wear and tear on older tracks when evaluating noise reduction measures; and (c) whether LTA will consider reducing the speed of MRT trains near residential areas to mitigate noise pollution if installation of noise barriers are not possible due to prevailing policies.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has been progressively installing noise barriers along the MRT viaducts fronting residential developments. So far, 21.5 kilometres of noise barriers covering 45 locations along our MRT viaducts have been installed; works are ongoing to install a further 5.5 kilometres of noise barriers at another 16 locations. These locations were selected following island-wide noise measurement studies conducted in 2011/2012 and again in 2018, to identify locations near above-ground MRTs where the noise level exceeded the National Environment Agency's (NEA) recommended threshold of 67 decibels averaged over an hour. These studies took into consideration potential increase in noise levels due to wear and tear of older tracks and increase in train frequencies.

Since July 2016, NEA also requires conduct of Traffic Noise Impact Assessment (TNIA) for new developments if they result in residential areas being within 70 metres of above-ground MRT tracks and stations. LTA would study potential land traffic noise impact prior to construction of new above-ground MRT tracks and implement mitigation measures to ensure compliance with NEA’s noise guidelines.

Reducing train speed is not advisable as it will increase journey time and reduce the carrying capacity of MRT lines. LTA works 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 to better absorb vibration and noise, and servicing train wheels and tracks more frequently.