Barriers up, noise down for those who live near MRT tracks

A noise meter showing the reading recorded at Sembawang Close yesterday as a train passed by. According to measurements taken at residential buildings, the noise barriers are able to reduce noise from passing trains by at least five decibels, the LTA
Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan measuring the noise level at Sembawang Close yesterday as a train left Sembawang MRT station. Residents in the area said there was a reduction in the noise emitted by passing trains after barriers were installed in 2016. ST PHOTOS: NG SOR LUAN
A noise meter showing the reading recorded at Sembawang Close yesterday as a train passed by. According to measurements taken at residential buildings, the noise barriers are able to reduce noise from passing trains by at least five decibels, the LTA
A noise meter showing the reading recorded at Sembawang Close yesterday as a train passed by. According to measurements taken at residential buildings, the noise barriers are able to reduce noise from passing trains by at least five decibels, the LTA said. ST PHOTOS: NG SOR LUAN

The first phase of a project to install noise barriers along MRT viaducts is more than 80 per cent done, and is targeted to be completed this year, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said yesterday.

The outstanding sections of track to have barriers installed are between Lakeside and Boon Lay stations, Aljunied and Paya Lebar stations, and Paya Lebar and Eunos stations.

The LTA said 4.5m-high barriers will be used at these sections, instead of the regular 2.5m ones the authority has installed elsewhere. This is to "better mitigate the noise profile", it said, as these are turnout sections where trains change tracks.

The LTA started installing noise barriers at above-ground MRT tracks in late 2013 for locations such as Admiralty, Marsiling, Sembawang, Ang Mo Kio, Pioneer and Yew Tee.

When the first phase is completed, 11.5km of barriers will be installed at 25 locations.

Design works for Phase 2 are under way, with installation expected to start in the second half of this year, the LTA said. Phase 2 will cover 20 new locations, including Tampines, Ang Mo Kio and Clementi, with 10km of railway noise barriers.

According to measurements taken at residential buildings, the noise barriers are able to reduce noise from passing trains by at least five decibels, the LTA said.

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Residents in Blocks 334 and 335 in Sembawang Close, which is beside the North-South Line MRT viaduct, said there was a reduction in the noise emitted by passing trains after barriers were installed in 2016.

IT consultant Mahendran Rajagopal, 45, said: "We used to hear the noise of train wheels over the rails, but not any more.

"During the night, when there is less surrounding noise, the noise from the trains is 'louder'. But we have got used to it."

Mr Anuar Husin, 46, who is currently unemployed, said noise levels have reduced, but said that older models of trains generate more noise than newer ones.

The LTA said yesterday that it will carry out a more in-depth noise measurement study, and the findings will be used to plan other noise mitigation measures in the future. It said that installing the noise barriers requires track access during MRT off-service hours and the retrofitting of existing railway structures.

The shorter MRT operating hours which went into effect in December have given engineers more time to work, the LTA added.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 10, 2018, with the headline Barriers up, noise down for those who live near MRT tracks. Subscribe