Train noise level at residential area in Kuala Lumpur: preliminary study

Abstract

Nowadays, rail transport is one of the most important transport modes chosen by Malaysians. However, the noise pollution caused by the railway causes complaints from residents living near this track. Therefore, the operator needs to order their workers to conduct monthly observations and measurements of their train noise level in the selected area. The conventional method requires more time and energy as the number of areas to monitor is various and the sound level measurement tools used are also expensive. Thus, the preliminary study was conducted to determine the current noise levels by MRT trains in residential areas near Pusat Bandar Damansara station. The noise level measurements were conducted at two nearby locations: Lorong Kasah Tepi (Location A) and Jalan Kasah (Location B). The noise level was measured at each location with three different slope distances using a sound level meter tool. The total data taken are one hundred and twenty which involves off-peak and peak hours. From the results, the data shows that the noise level at slope distance for off-peak and peak hour at Location A is higher than the noise level at Location B.