With greater attention to noise pollution and its effects, mitigative solutions have been implemented. More recently, with a decline in economic activity such as shipping by ocean and air due to COVID-19, coupled with lockdowns in multiple cities, the world has experienced a reduction in surrounding noise levels, even if temporarily.
Overall, exposure to noise should be reduced. Unwanted sound should be avoided, and when not possible, mitigation solutions should fulfill noise action plans.
The EU Environmental Noise Directive has requested utilising noise maps and improving this data source, which would result in identifying areas with higher noise levels to better implement noise mitigation strategies (Licitra and Vogiatzis, 2019).
To target road traffic noise, noise barriers are the most common solution (Licitra and Vogiatzis, 2019). However, imposing speed limits may also prove effective in reducing the noise generated by vehicles. Noise barriers have also been implemented in Singapore along its train tracks (Chia and Loo, 2021). Laying low emission pavements with road mix in the LIFE SOUNDLESS project has also enabled a decrease in noise production by 3 – 7 dB (Licitra and Vogiatzis, 2019). On airport noise as a source, Falzone (1999) suggests that having a shared liability for damage caused by aircraft noise and more funding for noise mitigation projects should be taken to adequately address the growing problem in the U.S.
For industrial sources of noise, eco-friendly control devices designed for vibration control also present another solution. This device, if attached to vibrating machines such as generators or heavy motors, could potentially reduce generated noise by reducing vibration (Srivastava, 2012).
In addressing community noise sources, it would be good for us as individuals to be conscious of the noise we produce, and to ensure our own exposure to high noise levels are not prolonged. These are factors that are within our control. In the event that we are not able to control or lower sources of noise around us, we can move away from the noise source or use earplugs. Other innovative solutions in Singapore have been discussed here.
References
Chia, L. and Loo, H. (2021). Too much noise can harm your health. That’s potentially a problem in Singapore. [online] CNA. Available at: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/cna-insider/too-much-noise-can-harm-your-health-thats-potentially-problem-singapore-2350251 [Accessed 16 Feb. 2022].
Falzone, K. (1999). AIRPORT NOISE POLLUTION: IS THERE A SOLUTION IN SIGHT? Environmental Affairs, [online] 26, pp.769–807. Available at: https://www.us-caw.org/pdf/boston.pdf [Accessed 12 Apr. 2022].
Licitra, G. and Vogiatzis, K. (2019). Preface: New Solutions Mitigating Environmental Noise Pollution. Environments, 6(11), p.117.
Srivastava, S. (2012). Effect of Noise Pollution and its Solution Through Eco-Friendly Control Devices in the North East India. Procedia Engineering, 38, pp.172–176.