The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has launched an initiative that aims to map noise levels across the emirate.
The objective of this initiative is to identify a range of culprit noise sources and pinpoint the most affected residential districts. The information will also assist EAD rate the impact on each district and use the data gathered to create a map to target the most affected areas.
Eng. Faisal Al Hammadi, Executive Director of Environmental Quality Sector at EAD, said: “Our goal at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi is always to ensure that we are creating the best environment for all Abu Dhabi residents. To this end, we launched the noise mapping initiative to gather detailed scientific data from a variety of locations in the emirate to highlight the sources of noise pollution and the residential areas that are the worst affected. The information will allow us to develop temporary and permanent mitigation measures in collaboration with our stakeholders.
“In parallel to this initiative, a Noise Committee has been formed comprising of more than 10 government entities. The committee aims to use the noise project’s findings to determine a future path forward and explore initiatives that will help each entity to mitigate noise in the relevant sector that they regulate.
“We started to monitor ambient noise in the emirate since 2007 through our air quality monitoring network and the current initiative is a continuation of our commitment to improve the environment. Through it we are aiming to build a comprehensive and precise representation of noise pollution across the emirate by developing a map that will help guide our decision-making for the future.
The initiative is crucial to EAD as noise can have detrimental effects on health, including stress, sleep disturbances, and cardiovascular problems. By identifying areas with high noise levels, health authorities can assess potential health risks and take necessary measures. Additionally, city planners can use noise modelling to make informed decisions about land-use and zoning regulations. For example, sensitive areas like residential zones or schools can be protected from high noise sources, such as industrial or commercial activities.
With a comprehensive noise assessment in place, city planners and engineers can design effective noise mitigation strategies, including sound barriers, green spaces, and changes in infrastructure to reduce noise levels and improve the overall quality of life in the emirate.
