Noise pollution near to the construction site in an urban area (a case study in Shah Alam)

Abstract

In the contemporary era of Malaysia's rapid modernisation, a multitude of construction and urbanisation projects are underway, particularly in urban areas. As Malaysia strives to achieve its modernisation goals and join the ranks of developed nations, it is imperative to prioritise and mitigate noise emissions stemming from these construction and urban development endeavors. Urban regions characterised by residential, commercial, educational zones, construction activities, and heavy traffic congestion often experience elevated noise levels. These multiple sources of noise have a detrimental impact on the health and well-being of the surrounding communities. The primary objectives of this study are to assess noise levels in areas near construction sites (specifically the Light Rail Transit (LRT) project), as well as away from construction sites, and to gauge the extent of noise disturbance experienced by the community. Additionally, the study seeks to measure the community's awareness of the effects of noise pollution. The chosen study areas encompassed the LRT-3 Shah Alam line construction site (coordinates: 3° 4'2.50 "N, 101°29'22.12 "E) and the non-construction site in Seksyen 9 (coordinates: 3°05'17.80" N, 101°31'24.42" E). Two methods were employed for data collection: first, the measurement of noise levels at the study areas using the Decibel X smartphone application, and second, the distribution of a questionnaire survey to the community residing near the construction site. The questionnaire aimed to evaluate the impact of noise pollution and the community's acceptance of noise emissions from the construction site. The findings revealed that the Equivalent Continuous Sound Pressure Level (LAeq) at the LRT-3 Shah Alam line construction site exceeded the permissible equivalent noise level (65 dB (A), registering at 83.44 dB (A) during weekdays and 74.82 dB (A) during weekends. In contrast, at the non-construction site in Seksyen 9, the LAeq remained below the permissible limit, with values of 54.13 dB (A) during weekdays and 49.42 dB (A) during weekends. The questionnaire survey indicated that a majority of the community living near the LRT-3 construction site were significantly disturbed by the construction activities and the additional noise stemming from vehicular traffic, given the site's proximity to a university. Respondents reported suffering from various effects of noise pollution, including headaches, stress, insomnia, diminished focus, and increased stress levels. The community expressed a consensus that raising awareness about the impacts of noise pollution from construction and urbanisation areas is essential, and they called upon the government to play a pivotal role in regulating noise emissions.