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2011 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
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4 Improving Hong Kong's Environment

6. Quieter Environment

Mission:

To prevent, minimise and resolve environmental noise problems through formulation of noise policy, intervention in the planning process, implementation of noise abatement measures and enforcement of the Noise Control Ordinance.

Reducing traffic noise

6.1    More than a million people in Hong Kong are exposed to excessive traffic noise (defined as greater than 70 dB (A)). Engineering solutions in the form of low-noise road surfaces (LNRSs) and barriers help to reduce exposure. We are pleased to report that by the end of 2010, 49 road sections have been re-surfaced with LNRSs benefiting about 90 000 people, and eight road sections have been retrofitted with barriers, benefiting 33 000 people.

 
Noise Barriers erected at busy roads to protect nearby dwellings from traffic noise.
Noise Barriers erected at busy roads to protect nearby dwellings from traffic noise.
 

6.2    We will continue to explore alternative LNRS designs, including thicker surface, mixing with smaller aggregate size and others, with a view to reducing noise further and enhanced durability. We are also looking into using less-noisy road joints at flyovers and reviewing the scope of the noise barrier programme.

6.3    Input at the planning stage can help to reduce traffic noise problems (see Figure 11). We now deploy LNRS as a standard feature in new high-speed roads and barriers are installed on new roads where possible. Noise barriers installed since 1990 have been fitted 320 000 people at a cost of $2.8 billion (see Figure 12). By spending a further $430 million in insulating 7 900 flats, further noise protection measures have been applied since 1995.


Reducing construction noise

6.4    Construction noise is controlled through the Noise Control Ordinance during night time, Sundays and public holidays. Designated Areas, such as residential areas, are subject to tight controls, which have been extended since 2009 to ensure that newly-developed areas and areas under active development are afforded the same protection against construction noise as existing Designated Areas.


Figure 11 - Noise planning advice / cases in 2010
Figure 12 - Screening structures to reduce traffic noise
1990-2010

Figure 11 - Noise planning advice / cases in 2010   Figure 12 - Screening structures to reduce traffic noise  1990-2010
     
 
 
 

See also: Targets - Our Progress and 2011 Aims.

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