Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Update on Status of Road Noise Barrier and Low-Noise Road Surfacing Trials

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Transport 

a.     what is the update on the status of road noise barrier and low-noise road surfacing trials; and

b.     whether LTA will implement such or other measures in the future, particularly along stretches of expressways near public residential housing.

Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran:

1.     The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has recently completed trials on the effectiveness of noise barriers and low-noise pavement mix. The trials showed that low-noise pavement mix for at-grade sections of expressways are more effective at reducing noise for residents than vertical noise barriers, as the former reduces the noise generated at source while the latter shields noise away from residents staying at lower floors, and would not be effective for residents staying at higher floors.

2.     LTA has been and will continue to implement measures to reduce noise along stretches of expressways near residential areas. For at-grade sections of expressways, LTA will use the low-noise pavement mix when conducting resurfacing works. For elevated sections of expressways, LTA will consider installing noise barriers where needed. In doing so, LTA considers multiple factors such as the distance between the expressways and surrounding buildings.