Construction noise and vibration

Transport for NSW approach

Noise and vibration are unavoidable in a major project such as the Parramatta Light Rail; however, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and its contractors worked hard to minimise impacts on the community.

For example, specific works were prioritised to minimise the duration of construction and community feedback was taken into account when designing construction programs.

TfNSW was generally not permitted to work in any one location for more than four nights in a seven-day period to ensures the community received regular respite during construction. 

Impact on property

Before vibration-generating construction, properties next to work areas may undergo a ‘dilapidation survey’. This is also known as a ‘pre-construction property condition survey’.

Properties are inspected to record their current condition and to document any existing defects. This is compared to a second survey once construction work is complete.

The level of impact may vary from person to person depending on:

• the location of their property
• the type of construction activity
• duration of works.

Causes of noise and vibration

Common noise sources include:

• heavy machinery
• trucks
• pavement works
• excavation or earthworks that involve jackhammering or rock-breaking
• mandatory reversing alarms on mobile equipment.

TfNSW works to guidelines that limit the level of vibration generated. This minimises the risk of cosmetic damage to nearby residential or commercial buildings.

Construction works generate varying degrees of vibration, depending on equipment and methods used. These include:

• earthworks
• site clearing and demolition
• concrete breaking and removal
• ground compaction.

Measuring noise and vibration

Construction noise and vibration is temporary and often changes as work progresses. During construction activity, noise and vibration is measured so it does not exceed approved standards.

People's perception of noise is strongly influenced by their environment. A noise level that is perceived as loud in one situation, may appear quiet in another.

crop_originalImage creditkeyboard_arrow_up

Noise level comparisons infographic

The table below is a text representation of the information detailed in the graphic above.

Managing community impacts

Extensive noise and vibration modelling for construction works has been carried out. This was done to:

• predict expected levels of noise and vibration
• inform how these can best be managed.

The modelling considers a range of factors, including:

• the location of residents, businesses and sensitive community organisations
• the type of construction activities
• the machinery and equipment used
• existing background noise and vibration levels
• topography (the shape and features) of the area.

Reducing noise and vibration

A range of measures are used to mitigate noise and vibration during construction, including:

• selecting machinery and planning activities that will minimise construction impacts
• installing measures such as noise blankets, acoustic sheds and non-tonal reversing alarms
• providing respite periods
• limiting high vibration-causing activities to standard construction hours, where possible
• notifying nearby residents in advance of noisy or vibration-generating works
• noise and vibration monitoring to ensure works are kept within allowable limits, undertaken at locations identified by the project’s acoustic and vibration consultants.