Acoem leads environmental monitoring on Asia’s largest railway project – Malaysia’s MRT

After four years of noise monitoring for MRT, 01dB is now also focussing on the project’s vibration control.

In 2012, Acoem and their partner in Malaysia began working with MMC-Gamuda KVMRT (PDP SSP) Sdn Bhd, the Project Delivery Partner of the Mass Rapid Transit Corporation on Phase 1 of MRT Line 2 – the largest railway project in South East Asia. MSungai Buloh–Serdang–Putrajaya MRT Line 2 is a fully automated and driverless rail system that forms part of the larger rail transport network in the Klang Valley area near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The partnership was developed and championed by Acoem Asia Managing Director, Patrice Pischedda. During Phase 1 of the project, Acoem integrated their noise monitoring system to ensure effective noise measurement and compliance with the Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE)’s planning guidelines. Due to the success of Phase 1, Patrice was approached by the developers to provide a vibration monitoring solution that could be used in parallel with DUO.

New vibration technology complements Acoem noise monitoring instruments

The launch of ORION in mid-2016 gave Patrice the opportunity to extend 01dB’s relationship with the MRT Line 2 project. The portable, DIN 45669-compliant ORION was introduced into PHASE 2 of the construction process and will continue to be used throughout Phase 3 to project completion, which is expected in 2021.

ORION guarantees international standards compliance

ORION was used for Phase 2’s baseline monitoring (the ambient vibration level measured prior to construction works) and will continue to be utilised throughout the duration of piling works along 52.2 km of track, of which 13.5 km is underground. ORION’s measurement of Peak Component Particle Velocity (PCPV) and the resulting Peak Particle Velocity (PPV) will assess any potential structural damage in the area as a result of construction work and ensure strict adherence to government regulations.

Throughout the MRT project, Acoem has also been working closely with Institute of Noise and Vibration at the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur (INV). Under the leadership of Professor Ir Dr M Salman Leong, one of South East Asia’s foremost experts on the environmental impact of noise and vibration, guidelines were established on what type of instruments should be employed and how to use them for the construction process. It was INV’s recommendations for precision and certified monitoring systems designed for specific applications that led to Acoem being selected as the supplier of choice.

“With both DUO and ORION in place on the MRT Line 2 project, we now have the ability to deliver consistently accurate monitoring data for noise and vibration,” said Patrice.

“ORION’s IP65 waterproof level, lower frequency range, easy QR code and mobile app configuration, along with self-monitoring capabilities with on-board memory, automated data storage and transmission, makes it the perfect complementary device to DUO on this project,” he added.

For more information about ORION and Acoem’s full range of noise and vibration monitoring solutions, please contact us.

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