CONTROLS BY THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY (NEA)
NEA has set boundaries on the noise level emitted by industries and construction. The regulation ensures noise surrounding sensitive areas such as hospitals, school and residential areas are kept to a minimum. Furthermore, the no work rule on Sundays and public holidays enable these important days to be kept noise free. These two days are usually spent with families which means quality time. By keeping them noise free from these sources, citizens are able to rest and offset the accumulated effects of noise on other days.
LAND TRANSPORT AUTHORITY (LTA)
LTA has made efforts to set up noise barriers around MRT tracks, especially old tracks passing through residential areas. They claim that sound barriers will reduce noise levels by up to 10 decibels but the actual effect is questionable. The construction of these barriers might cause more noise than the actual train, and if the sound barriers do not cover a substantial portion of the track, it might not be effective.
NOISE MAPPING SERVICES FOR 3rd PARTY COMPANIES
These companies offer noise mapping services for factories and industrial places to protect their employees. Some of these sites involve working with large and noisy machinery which requires employees to wear protective gear to operate them. With the noise map, companies will be able to pinpoint noise prone locations and carry out with their safety plans in accordance with the National Environmental Agency guidelines.
EFFECTIVE..?
The two separate efforts by NEA and LTA show an example of a disjointed incrementalism approach towards the noise pollution problem. LTA is making sound barriers in response to complaints regarding noises surrounding the train tracks while NEA is responding to noise complaints regarding construction sites. They both only tackle problems within their region of control, while increasing their level of mitigation only in response to the seriousness of the problem. This results in a slow response towards the seriousness of noise pollution and it does not help to protect us from the long-term side effects of the problem.