The Government's overall policy objectives for road traffic noise control are to ensure that a satisfactory noise environment is attained and maintained in order to safeguard the quality of life for the public, and to create an environment in which peoples are protected from excessive road traffic noise (milestones of road traffic noise policy are in Appendix 1). Due to a combination of factors including the scarcity of habitable land, a sharp increase of population in the past 20 years, huge demand of transportation to support economic growth, about one million people in Hong Kong are exposed daily at home to high levels of road traffic noise exceeding 70 dB(A)L10(1hr). [note 1] The Government has adopted the following 4-pronged approach: FIRST: to prevent noise problems through actions at the outset of land use planning and project design; Planning of new land uses Planning of new roads Planning of new residential buildings Re-development As at present, preventive planning of new towns, new residential developments and urban renewal benefit 500,000 people. Also, planning of new roads brought benefits to 194,000 people through change of alignment, provision of low noise road surfacing and erection of 49 km barriers. SECOND: to avoid importing noisy vehicles into Hong Kong through legislation; THIRD: to rectify the existing traffic noise problems through abatement programmes; Noise Abatement in Schools Programme Highway Resurfacing Programme Programme to address noise from existing roads Pedestrianisation Through implementation of the above abatement programme, more than 760,000 people would be benefited. FOURTH: to get the public and other stakeholders involved through education, engagement and partnership programme. The policy and principles described above guide our formulation of strategies and measures to mitigate road traffic noise. In the broader context, they also reflect the Administration's desire and determination to strike the right balance between economic development, environmental protection and social acceptability in Hong Kong's unique high-density city setting. It is difficult to stand still under such enormous pressure of economic and population growth. More aggressive, proactive and forward looking action plans with participation and contribution from all individuals would be necessary. The issues on noise mitigation demand the collaboration of efforts from all relevant government departments and non-government sectors alike. It is only with the concerted effort of all concerned that we can arrive at rational decisions and solutions that are both equitable and affordable. Relevant Information on road traffic noise Chapter 9 (Environment) of the Hong Kong Planning Stanrdards and Guidelines Road traffic noise standard Road traffic noise assessment and measurement Noise mitigation measures Barrier Low Noise Road Surfacing Traffic Management Scheme Noise insulation Thin layer of tree cannot be used as barrier Feature stories on road traffic noise in Environment Hong Kong Government booklets/guidelines relating to road traffic noise Screening Structures and Building Designs against Transportation Noise in Hong Kong Housing Design to Abate Traffic Noise in Hong Kong Guidelines On Design of Noise Barriers Papers on Legislative Council Panel Meetings Relating to Road Traffic Noise since December 2000 Reports conducted by EPD relating to providing retrofitting barriers note 1: L10(1 hour) is the noise level exceeded for 10% of a one-hour period, generally used for road noise at peak traffic flow. The limit adopted in EIAO and HKPSG for assessing road traffic noise affecting residential buildings.

[Back to top][Back][Table of Content][Next]

Last revision date: 02 May 2006

End of Page

[Problems & Solutions] [Data & Statistics] [Public Consultation] [Study Reports] [Guidelines & References] [Educational Package on Environmental Noise] [Road Traffic Noise] [Construction Noise Permit in force] [Noise Type Approved Vehicle Data] [Quality Powered Mechanical Equipment] [Help Corner]