The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has launched an initiative to map noise levels throughout the emirate.
The aim of this project is to identify various noise sources and determine the residential areas most impacted by noise pollution. With this data, EAD will evaluate the effects on each district and create a detailed noise pollution map to target the areas most affected.
“Parallel to this initiative, a noise committee has been formed comprising of more than 10 government entities,” said Eng. Faisal Al Hammadi, Executive Director of Environmental Quality Sector at EAD. He noted that Abu Dhabi has been “monitoring ambient noise since 2007 through the air quality monitoring network.” This new initiative aims to build a comprehensive and accurate representation of noise pollution across Abu Dhabi, continuing the emirate’s commitment to environmental quality, Al Hammadi added.
The data collected will also aid in developing measures to mitigate noise pollution.
Health authorities, city planners, and engineers will benefit from this initiative. By identifying areas with the highest noise levels, necessary measures can be taken to address potential health risks.
City planners can use noise modelling to protect residential areas and schools from high noise sources, while engineers can implement sound barriers, green spaces, and infrastructure changes to reduce noise pollution.