Singapore testing augmented reality to cut noise in public areas

Singapore will use augmented reality to test how noise can be reduced in public and residential areas. The Nanyang Technological University and Housing Development Board are creating a system to simulate noise in the city.

Housing designers will be able to listen to the simulated sounds and “see” how different noise sources interact with each other using a pair of AR headsets. This will allow Singapore to design better public and housing spaces, such as using natural ventilation to reduce noise in residences.

The proposal has received funding from the Ministry of National Development and National Research Foundation to develop the project, along with four others. A total of S$14 million was awarded to five research projects under the Land and Liveability National Innovation Challenge.

Another awarded project by NTU and the Building and Construction Authority will use 3D modelling to reduce costs and improve the design of underground construction projects. The system will create a virtual borehole at a potential construction site and analyse whether geological conditions are suitable for the project.

This will help create more reliable designs for underground projects, with less uncertainties of what will be found beneath the earth. The proposed system would be useful for both government and private developers for construction of buildings, roads and train stations.

These projects “address the strategic challenges we face in space creation and liveability” in Singapore, said Professor Yong Kwet Yew, scientific lead for the challenge. Researchers were challenged to make underground construction 50% more cost effective.

They were also asked to reduce ambient temperature by 4 degrees Celsius and noise by 10dBA in residential areas. Image by City University Interaction Lab, licensed under CC BY 2.0