Noise

Operating Railway

MTR has developed programmes to reduce noise from its operations particularly from above ground train movements. Trains on the urban and airport lines are fitted with wheel dampers and rail lubricators. Comprehensive maintenance programmes help reduce noise and extend the working lives of rails and wheels. Noise is generated by the combined roughness of the rails and wheels. Both surfaces need to be equally smooth for maximum benefit. During 2001, MTR increased wheel turning by 9% and decreased rail grinding by 10% to 233,468km of track. However rail grinding can cause noise nuisance as it must be undertaken at night. MTR awarded the contract for a higher capacity, quieter grinding machine in 2001.


Extensive noise monitoring programmes across the MTR rail network (including real time monitoring on the Lantau Airport Railway) have demonstrated 97% compliance with the Noise Control Ordinance during 2001. MTR uses its monitoring programmes to not only demonstrate compliance but also to provide pointers towards even better noise performance.

 Wheels of MTR trains fixed with dampers



Barrier at Mong Kok Entrance A for construction works



Railway Construction

Over the years, MTR has developed a comprehensive catalogue of tried and tested measures that are incorporated into its construction contracts to ensure that people living and working close to construction works do not experience unacceptable levels of noise.
MTR monitors the noise from construction works undertaken by contractors in much the same way as it monitors its own operating railway. During 2001, weekly noise monitoring programmes demonstrated the following levels of compliance:

· 99.6% for the Tseung Kwan O Extension (TKE) works (707 measurements and 3 exceedances).

· 100% for the Quarry Bay Relief Works (QBR) works (245 measurements and 0 exceedances).

· 100% for the Mei Foo Noise Enclosure (MEF) works (66 measurements and 0 exceedances).

Compared with the level of compliance during 2000, the overall compliance rate has increased from 98.7% to 99.7%.

 

Property

Noise can also create problems at MTR's managed property developments. To manage this issue, MTR implements a noise control policy and undertakes acoustic improvements to reduce noise from its water pump rooms. As a result, 100% compliance with the Noise Control Ordinance was achieved during 2001.

 
<Waste from Railway Construction>, <Waste from Operation Railway>,
< Passenger Waste Paper>, <Wastewater>, <Emissions to Air>
Executive Summary Chairman's Message Introduction About MTR Sustainability Social Environment Economic Sustainability Awareness Environmental Performance in 2001 Social and Environmental Targets for 2002 GRI Indicator MTR's ENvironmental Policy Opinion Verification Feedback