Sound bite: Noise Pollution in Singapore

I came across this video when researching Noise Pollution sources. I wanted to do a case study on the noise we hear in Singapore, and this video is a great introduction!

Previously, I’ve mentioned how I am blessed to be living in a location where it is not too noisy. I’ve had the surroundings measured from my room using the Decibel X app, and it provided an average reading of 50dB.

According to the video, community noise sources from neighbours – moving of furniture, music and renovation noise were commonly reported during the circuit breaker period in 2020. In fact, the Housing and Development Board received about 11,400 noise-related complaints between January and September that year. Such noise has also been disruptive, considering the shift to remote work and school activities.

A study conducted by National University of Singapore researchers discovered that the daily average outdoor sound level was 69.4dB, which sits 2.4dB higher than the National Environment Agency (NEA)’s recommended level of 67dB. Serangoon was the noisiest neighbourhood with an average measurement of 73.1dB. Across Singapore’s five regions, the north and west regions of Singapore were relatively quieter on average.

As our city gets noisier, there is also a growing public demand for a quieter environment. The government has put in place several measures to mitigate noise pollution including tighter enforcement of construction sites and urban planning regulations (Ng and Tang, 2021).

For one, I do recall hearing announcements about sleeper replacement works on the tracks for a quieter journey. Certain stretches of overhead train tracks come with noise barriers that provide a physical barrier for units that are level with the train tracks. These are expected to be able to reduce railway noise levels by 5 to 10dB, according to LTA. Naturally, with tall blocks in Singapore, it seems that flats on higher floors will be less affected than flats on lower floors. However, while flats are physically further from traffic and construction, there are also fewer physical barriers to block sounds (Chia and Loo, 2021).

Researcher Indraneel Bhanap (2013) conducted a study on noise levels experienced by residential estates situated near expressways in Singapore. Data she collected using a noise sensor of an 11-story block identified a rapid increase in noise level from the 1st to 6th floor, but the increase in noise from the 6th to 11th floor was very minor, as shown below. Notably, all recordings were also well above NEA’s recommended limit of 67dB over an hour.

Another study on highway traffic in Singapore discovered that heavy trucks with more than three axles contributed primarily to higher sound pressure levels, causing residents living nearby to be exposed to sound levels that exceed the recommended limit of 67dB over an hour (Chin, Thang and Saju, 2019).

Concerning noise from public transport systems, noise dampening wheels are also a solution, and these will be installed on the new Jurong Regional Line (Iau, 2019). Additionally, certain stretches of our highways have also been equipped with noise barriers to mitigate traffic noise impact on nearby residential areas (Ng and Tang, 2021).

Why is this important?

Prolonged exposure to city noise creates stress in the body and can lead to cardiovascular disease and other health problems. While noise in our surroundings such as that of public transport and traffic, as well as construction noise are not within our control, there is another type of noise that we inflict on ourselves through our daily activities. Activities characterised by high volume and duration of noise, for instance, clubbing, listening to loud music, or going to concerts produces sound waves with high energy. This can damage and destroy delicate hair within our inner ears, and these hair cells do not generate, leading to permanent hearing loss.

Hence, we should be conscious of the additional noise we expose ourselves to!

What are some solutions?

With regards to noise that we cannot control, technology and solutions are being developed to mitigate noise pollution. In the video, we see that The Nanyang Technological University is researching an “Anti-Noise Control Window” that will reduce noise levels by at least 10 decibels. However, this prototype currently features speakers that obstruct the view from the window, and need to be made bigger to effectively reduce noise in a larger flat space.

On the other hand, sound can be used therapeutically to create a sense of peace, and sound pillows have been developed to play soothing sounds instead. I do have a post on white noise that you can read here!

 

References