Seoul City Takes Steps to Reduce Motorcycle Noise... Conducting Quarterly Surveys Starting Next Year

Two-Wheeled Vehicle Instantaneous Noise 92.4dB, Factory-Level Noise Intensity

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City has recently taken measures to reduce motorcycle noise in residential areas, where citizens have been experiencing inconvenience due to the increased demand for food delivery.

On the 20th, the Seoul Metropolitan Institute of Health and Environment announced that starting next year, it will select five locations within Seoul where motorcycle traffic is expected to be high and noise levels elevated, and conduct detailed surveys including noise measurements every three months. Since motorcycle noise is influenced by street characteristics, the formation of surrounding delivery commercial areas, and the characteristics of the resident population, the survey locations will be selected according to unique living zone types.

Motorcycles refer not only to motorbikes but also two-wheeled automobiles and motor scooters, defined as having an engine displacement of 50cc or more and a total vehicle weight under 1000kg. The noise emission standards are 105dB for exhaust noise and 110dB for horn noise. As a pilot study this year, the institute conducted surveys on July 29 and November 3 at residential area points A and B in Seoul, respectively, and found that noise levels rose to 92.4 dB at point A and 88.1 dB at point B the moment motorcycles passed by. This noise level is comparable to that experienced inside a noisy factory.

Additionally, noise levels at points A and B were measured at 57.1dB during the day and 54.9dB at night for point A, and 54.6dB during the day and 46.6dB at night for point B, failing to meet the national noise environment standards. On average, motorcycles increased noise levels by 1.7dB during the day and 2.6dB at night at point A, and by 2.7dB during the day and 2.2dB at night at point B.

Earlier in October, Seoul City announced a plan to achieve carbon neutrality and create a quiet urban environment by converting 100% of delivery motorcycles that cause noise into zero-emission, noiseless electric motorcycles by 2025. The institute plans to support verification of noise reduction effectiveness in residential areas as the motorcycle fleet transitions annually. It is estimated that replacing existing delivery motorcycles with electric motorcycles could reduce residential noise by more than 2dB.

Shin Yong-seung, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Institute of Health and Environment, stated, “While food delivery services we conveniently use cause noise, we aim to scientifically approach and develop solutions to address the inconvenience experienced by citizens.” He added, “For the safety and comfort of both delivery workers and citizens, it is desirable to encourage voluntary safe driving by drivers through improvements in the delivery system, enhanced safety education, and provision of incentives.”