Assessment of Traffic Noise Exposure in Residential Areas and Plans to Mitigate Long-Term Impacts of Environmental Noise on Residents

Dr Charlene Chen asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) how is cumulative traffic noise exposure in residential areas near expressways and viaducts assessed; and (b) whether environmental noise mitigation criteria will be reviewed to better account for long-term impacts on residents' sleep, mental wellbeing and health.

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The National Environment Agency (NEA) works with other agencies to ensure that Traffic Noise Impact Assessments are conducted for new residential developments located in close proximity to existing land traffic noise sources, such as expressways, as well as new land traffic noise sources located in close proximity to existing residential developments.

The assessments entail projecting future noise levels at residential areas from existing or new land traffic noise sources, and recommending noise mitigation measures for either the new residential development or new road infrastructure to meet the noise limits specified in the Technical Guidelines for Land Traffic Noise Impact Assessment developed by NEA.

NEA will work with other agencies to periodically review the Technical Guidelines to ensure that they remain relevant.