Noise-monitoring ‘traffic light’ at Clementi community hall tackles residents’ concerns
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The Outdoor Sound Monitoring System indicating noise levels during an elderly workout activity session at The Court at Clementi Meadows on March 11.
ST PHOTOS: AZMI ATHNI
- Clementi community hall installed a "traffic light" system to monitor noise from exercise classes, addressing resident complaints.
- Red light alerts signify noise above 83 decibels, potentially leading to suspension for repeat offenders; one trainer has been banned.
- Residents report improved noise levels since installation; the system may expand to other areas and be shared with other town councils.
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SINGAPORE – A noise-monitoring system with a light-based alert similar to traffic lights has been installed in a community hall in Clementi to tackle complaints from residents about noise stemming from the exercise classes held there.
When noise levels rise above 83 decibels, the red light is triggered, and organisers who repeatedly set this off could be suspended from booking the event space. A sound level of 80 to 85 decibels is equivalent to that of a vacuum cleaner or a noisy restaurant.
The noise-monitoring system shows a green light as a default. If it turns amber, it serves as a warning that the noise could be getting too loud. The red light indicates the noise could disturb a significant proportion of households in the nearest block.
The community hall at The Court at Block 306A Clementi Avenue 4 in Clementi Meadows had been a hot spot for noise complaints because of the microphones used by fitness trainers, said Holland-Bukit Timah GRC MP Sim Ann on March 11. Since the system’s installation in December 2025, the noise concerns have been resolved and one trainer has been suspended from booking the space, she told reporters during a visit to the community hall.
“We have spoken with all the regular event organisers as well as trainers, and most agree with what we are doing... Very unfortunately, we’ve had to ban one trainer because the person did not agree,” she said. The trainer will be allowed to hold classes if he is willing to comply with the rules.
During an exercise class for seniors on March 11, the light largely remained amber as music was playing. It would switch to red at some points when the instructor spoke too loudly on the microphone.
Ms Sim said the town council conducted tests to determine the sound level that will trigger the red light, and while it is currently set at 83 decibels, it could be tweaked in the future.
The noise levels at the space will be recorded and monitored by the Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council.
The town council said on March 3: “When residents call up the town council to report excessive noise generated by a particular class or activity, it is not always possible for a staff member or volunteer to appear on-site while the noise is still ongoing.”
It can also be difficult to determine how excessive the noise is based on sound recordings made by residents who complained, it added.
The system helps to keep track of noise levels without residents having to give feedback.
Ms Sim said the noise-monitoring system could be expanded to other areas in the constituency if needed, and the experience could also be shared with other town councils.
Clementi resident Benjamin Liew, who lives in the block closest to the community hall, said the noise would disrupt his virtual meetings as he works from home. This had been a common occurrence since the community hall was built a year ago.
“When they use the sound system, the sound tends to amplify... Even closing the windows wasn’t helpful,” said the 48-year-old who works in information technology.
Madam Kalpana Parthipan, 44, said the noise would wake her up at 8am about three days a week. She said this was disruptive as she works the night shift as a cashier and would return home around midnight or 1am.
Mr Liew said he and several residents went to a Meet-the-People Session in mid-2025 to give feedback about the noise levels and were told about the plans to install the noise monitor.
Both residents said noise levels have been acceptable since the system was installed.
When noise levels rise over 83 decibels, the red light is triggered, and organisers who repeatedly set this off could be suspended from booking the event space.
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
Mr Liang Eng Hwa, chairman of the Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council, noted a rise in noise complaints linked to an increase in community activities.
Such a system helps organisers to be mindful of noise levels, said the MP for Bukit Panjang, adding that it could be used in situations such as those involving construction noise.
Asked about noise concerns arising from people playing pickleball, Mr Liang said the town council has received some complaints about the sport, and is trying to relocate some of the courts that are “too close” to HDB blocks to empty areas under expressways.
