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Teaching and Learning: The impact of noise pollution from Light Rail Transit (LRT) near the school compound Conference Paper · September 2013

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Abu Bakar Abd Hamid

Royal Holloway, University of London

Universiti Teknologi MARA

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International Academic Conference (IAC) 2013. Edited by: XXXXXX @UiTM Terengganu, Dungun Terengganu ISBN XXX-XXX. http://iac2013.uitm.edu.my

Teaching and Learning: The impact of noise pollution from Light Rail Transit (LRT) near the school compound. Abu Bakar Abd. Hamid1, Aida Alias2 & Norashikin Rahmat3 Abstract Environmental noise pollution is recognized as a major problem for the deterioration of the quality of life in urban areas. Noise emission, especially from Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines, affect daily activities and can lead to a range of health disorders such as cardiovascular problems and poor task performance. The study aims to determine the impact of noise pollution from the LRT network on the teaching and learning processes at schools within the City of Kuala Lumpur. The study employs a multi-methodology approach on a number of schools in selected zones within the City Council of Kuala Lumpur. Site visits and observations were performed on the schools concerned. Opinion survey questionnaires were disseminated to evaluate the attitudes and views of the current situation. On-site noise level measurements were undertaken to substantiate the opinion survey. The overall result revealed that noise from the LRT lines has significantly affected its neighborhood and disturbed the classes of the adjacent schools considerably. Recent developments of urban elevated roads and commuter network in Kuala Lumpur have caused annoyance and poor environmental quality and health disorders. The study concludes that local authorities involved in the physical development and environmental control have to work together to overcome and resolve the problem. Subsequently, this is to ensure that schools in Kuala Lumpur are safe and secure from environmental noise pollution. Some suggestions to overcome these problems have been recommended either through legal and non-legal procedures.

Keywords: noise pollution; light rail transit design; teaching psychology; school education; built environmental. Abu Bakar Abd Hamid, Center of Interior Architecture Studies, Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam, Selangor Malaysia, [email protected]. 2 Aida Alias, Center of Interior Architecture Studies, Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam, Selangor Malaysia, [email protected]. 3 Norashikin Rahmat, Postgraduate Student, Department of Property Management, Faculty of Geoinformation and Real Estate, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Skudai, Johor, Malaysia, [email protected] 1

2 Abu Bakar Abd. Hamid, Aida Alias & Norashikin Rahmat (2013). Teaching and learning: The impact of noise pollution from Light Rail Transit (LRT) near the school compound. International Academic Conference (IAC) 2013.

Introduction Malaysia has enjoyed one of the least polluted urban environments in Asia. However, the aspiration as an industrial country status by 2020 and rapid economic growth have inflicted costs in terms of industrial pollution and the degradation of urban environment. Lee N. & George C. (2000) conveyed that noise pollution was mostly derived from sectors such as mining, quarry, increased in road vehicles, construction sites, industries and entertainment spots. A study conducted by University of Technology, Malaysia (UTM) (1997) established that noise pollution is the main source of pollutant in our environment (75%), air pollution (47%) and waste pollution (29%). The study showed that motor vehicles were the main cause of noise pollution. In a Research by the European Commission (EC) (Report 2000) motor vehicles on the road contributed to 90% of noise pollution in areas above the recommended level. A 15-year ongoing Malaysian survey stated that noise from vehicles has not decreased. The Ministry of Transportation (JPJ) statistics revealed in 1990, motor vehicles in Malaysia was numbered at 4.5 million, later increased to 6.8 million in 1995, 10.5 million in 2000, and in 2002 the figure was at 12.0 million4. Problem Statement of the Study The main source of noise pollution in Kuala Lumpur is recognized as: vehicular traffic, the light rail transit (LRT) system, construction sites, industries, aircraft, public entertainment activities and community activities. An environmental noise monitoring system has been set up, to collect data on ambient noise levels, study trends and assessment on the effectiveness of noise control measures. Planning guidelines is required to stipulate the set back distances for school premises adjacent to LRT tracks. Research Methodology This research was conducted using multi-methodologies such as collection of primary, secondary data, library research and analysis of tertiary data. Questionnaire survey forms were distributed to students, teachers and parents of schools, located nearby main roads and railway tracks, around Kuala Lumpur. The survey was to obtain perception towards distractions caused by the development of LRT line towards the process of teaching and learning their schools.

4

Ministry of Transport Report (JPJ), 2004

3 Abu Bakar Abd. Hamid, Aida Alias & Norashikin Rahmat (2013). Teaching and learning: The impact of noise pollution from Light Rail Transit (LRT) near the school compound. International Academic Conference (IAC) 2013.

Bangsar Zone School 1: Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sri Damesh, Bangsar. School 2: Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bangsar.

Map Location to Shows the LRT to School 1 and School 2 Source: Google Earth: www.google.earth.com

The diagram above shows a 95-meter distance from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sri Damesh and around 180-meter distance from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bangsar to the LRT Bangsar Station. Noise from the LRT nearby creates inconvenience to the students and teachers in both schools located in close proximity.

Bangsar Putra LRT Station

Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bangsar

The diagrams above show the Bangsar LRT Station, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sri Damesh in Bangsar and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bangsar respectively. The buildings are located close to each other. Both schools suffer major noise problems from the LRT station. Disturbance is further exacerbated by other modes of traffic such as cars, motorcycles and lorries. At peak time, the arrival frequency at LRT station is between 3.9 to 4.4 minutes for each bound.

4 Abu Bakar Abd. Hamid, Aida Alias & Norashikin Rahmat (2013). Teaching and learning: The impact of noise pollution from Light Rail Transit (LRT) near the school compound. International Academic Conference (IAC) 2013.

Observation In this study, observation was made to identify and analyze the effect of the distance from LRT line to school. Observation was also made on the number of vehicles approaching the school vicinity which influenced the overall noise level.

The Distance from LRT Bangsar Station – School 1 and School 2. Source: Illustration by Researcher.

The diagram illustrates the 95-metre distance between the LRT lines to Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sri Damesh’s boundary. The noise disturbs the students and distracts the students’ concentration in class. From observation, the LRT PUTRA line is near the school entrance façade. Its proximity distracts the learning and teaching sessions. The operation of LRT is between 3.9 to 4.4 minutes frequency during peak hours. Hence, the classes are interrupted by similar noise atmosphere almost every school day. The LRT line and schools are separated by an open drainage and no other barriers are available to barricade the sound from the LRT track. Measurement A similar measurement was performed as the preceding method. The sound level meter was located in two positions; one at the school edge and another at the LRT boundary. It was positioned alternately between the LRT and the school boundaries as shown.

5 Abu Bakar Abd. Hamid, Aida Alias & Norashikin Rahmat (2013). Teaching and learning: The impact of noise pollution from Light Rail Transit (LRT) near the school compound. International Academic Conference (IAC) 2013.

Analysis/Results The Measurement Was Located in Both Side Case Studies. Illustration by Researcher. The table showsSource: that 50.6% (248 respondents) agree and 146 respondents (29.8%) strongly

agree that students will frequently repeat words to friends in conversation in the existence of noise. 210 respondents (42.9%) agree and 127 respondents (25.9%) strongly agree that students could not perform their discussion because of noise disturbance from the LRT. This was substantiated by the fact that students frequently do revisions outside schools hours. Thus, impacts from the noise have adverse effects on the school routine of the students. 1 3

4

Unsure

Agree

Strongly agree

25

30

41

248

146

(5.1%)

(6.1%)

(8.4%)

(50.6%)

(29.8%)

41

60

52

210

127

(8.4%)

(12.2%)

(10.6%)

(42.9%)

(25.9%)

Strongly Item disagree

Student often repeats words in conversation with friends in the noise pollution environment Students could not discuss effectively in a noisy surrounding due to LRT noise

5

2 Disagree

Impact of Noise from LRT on Student’s Discussion Problems

Discussion This study obtained objective measurement on sites at the LRT lines. The measurement was taken to substantiate the statement by the respondents in order to justify the existence of the problems. The results are shown as a below: Bangsar Zone Noise Level: Point A –Bangsar Putra LRT Station. Point

B

–

School 1. Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sri School 2. Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bangsar.

Point A – Bangsar Putra LRT Station. Time of Measurement: 10.05 AM Duration of Measurement: 5 minutes Level (dBA) Leq

73

Maximum reading

90

Minimum reading

60

Damesh,

Bangsar.

6 Abu Bakar Abd. Hamid, Aida Alias & Norashikin Rahmat (2013). Teaching and learning: The impact of noise pollution from Light Rail Transit (LRT) near the school compound. International Academic Conference (IAC) 2013. Noise Level at LRT Station

Point B – Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sri Damesh Bangsar Boundary. Time of Measurement: 10.10 AM Duration of Measurement: 5 minutes Level (dBA) Leq

73

Maximum reading

105

Minimum reading

67

Noise Level at School Boundary (School 1)

Point B – Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bangsar Boundary. Time of Measurement: 10.30 AM Duration of Measurement: 5 minutes Level (dBA) Leq

78

Maximum reading

110

Minimum reading

80

Noise Level at School Boundary (School 2) Noise Level (dBA) at LRT Station and School Boundary

80

B3

110

Point

78

B

Minimum Noise Maximum Noise Leq

67 2

105 73

60

A

1

90 73 0

20

40

60

80

100

120

(dBA)

Noise Level (dBA) at LRT Station and School Boundary

The table shows the result of noise level at the LRT station. The measurement was taken from LRT station to school. It was performed at two different positions and times. The table shows the two schools where measurement was taken at different schools and position. The measurement was taken alternately between the LTR’s Station and the School boundary. At peak hours, 110.0 dBA was displayed as the maximum reading at Sekolah Menengah

7 Abu Bakar Abd. Hamid, Aida Alias & Norashikin Rahmat (2013). Teaching and learning: The impact of noise pollution from Light Rail Transit (LRT) near the school compound. International Academic Conference (IAC) 2013.

Kebangsaan Bangsar as compared to 67.0 dBA at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sri Damesh boundary. All the readings were taken at five minute intervals. This shows that School 1 was exposed with the maximum noise from LRT line. Conclusions and recommendations Overall results has indicated that noise pollution from Light Rail Transit (LRT) have significant impact on the teaching and learning process in the classroom. Development of roads and trails in Kuala Lumpur affect academic processes in most schools adjacent to the network. All parties concerned should overcome and resolve the matter to ensure schools are safe and protected from any form of pollution. Light Rail Transit (LRT) traffic noise could be reduced through a program of shared responsibility. Thus, state and local governments should practice compatible land use planning and control in the vicinity of LRT lines. Local governments should use their power to regulate land development in such a way that noise-sensitive land uses are either prohibited from being located adjacent to a LRT, or that the developments are planned, designed, and constructed in such a way that noise impacts are minimized as the prevention of future impacts is one of the most important parts of traffic noise control. This can ensure the compatibility of the LRT and its neighbors essentially for the continuing growth of local areas. The government and the DOE must take action to identify noise sensitive areas before approving any future physical development on roads or LRT lines in Kuala Lumpur City.

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