Noise and Air Pollution Management
Noise Management
THSRC is committed to environmental protection and working to comply with relevant laws and regulations through its environmental management systems. To address environmental and noise problems under THSR bridges, which are frequently reported by residents along the HSR route, THSRC periodically organizes and improves environmental and waterway facilities under these bridges. Measures such as installing soundproof doors and windows or building soundproof walls are implemented to reduce noise impacts. THSRC has formulated the "High Speed Rail Noise Improvement Plan" and the "Noise & Vibration Petition Treatment for HSR During Operation," and established the "High Speed Rail Noise Case Handling Process" to implement the most complete noise handling and prevention procedures. Executives at each station participate in activities and communicate with local opinion leaders and residents to achieve a win-win situation through communication.
In 2022, THSRC dealt with 19 high-speed railway noise issues along the line, and did not receive notification from the environmental protection regulator for violating noise standards. Only one case occurred in October 2022 in Waipu District, Taichung City, and this case is still being evaluated by local Environmental Protection Bureau to determine if further noise improvement measures are necessary. Please refer to the table below for relevant handling conditions.
High Speed Rail Noise Case Handling Process
Number of Noise Petitions and Related Handling Statuses in the Three Most Recent Years (2019~2021)
| Year | Number of Items | Need to be Improved | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 18 | 0 | - |
| 2021 | 18 | 1 | The case that needs to be improved in 2021 was the noise improvement case of Section 2, Dacheng Road, Dayuan District, Taoyuan City. In this case, residents complained about the noise from high speed rail, so the Department of Environmental Protection, Taoyuan conducted 24 -hour high speed rail traffic noise monitoring. The results showed that the average maximum volume of the high speed rail in this section was 83.3 dB(A), which exceeded the requirements of the “Land Transportation System Noise Control Standards,” and it was required to formulate a noise improvement plan within 180 days upon receipt of the notification from the competent authority. THSRC's project team has properly handled the issue and submitted the noise improvement plan for review on February 14, 2022, and the Environmental Protection Administration issued a letter on May 16 to agree to take it for future reference. |
| 2022 | 19 | 0 | One public petition case in Waipu District, Taichung City, this case is still pending the monitoring results of the local Environmental Protection Bureau for follow-up matters. |
| Total | 57 | 1 | - |
Air Pollution Management
THSR operates as a zero-emission carrier, emitting no air pollutants except for those generated during train maintenance at the Yanchao Main Workshop. In this regard, the Workshop is equipped with air pollution control equipment, including pulse bag dust collectors, activated carbon adsorption equipment, as well as catalyst incineration towers and other equipment, which are used to treat dust and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated during the spray painting process of trains. THSRC also obtained a stationary pollution source installation permit in October 2017, and a stationary pollution source operation permit in January 2019; additionally, a report is regularly filed every quarter in accordance with the Environmental Protection Administration's (EPA) “Administrative Measures for the Reporting of Stationary Pollutant Emissions in Public and Private Places.” THSRC not only continues to perform environmental monitoring and environmental protection work through the Company's environmental management system, but conducts audits on the treatment of wastewater, waste and air quality at the Company's stations and maintenance depots through external environmental protection teams as well. In 2022, there was no punishment or penalty imposed by the competent authority due to environmental pollution. In 2022, the total air pollution emissions from THSRC was 6.91 metric tons. Please refer to the table below for the emissions of different types of gases:
Notes:
1. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are measured in kilograms and are calculated according to the percentage (y%) of VOC substances (X), such as toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, etc., in various spray paint materials (M), such as M1* (X1Y1+X2Y2+X3Y3+....)% + M2(X1Y1+X2Y2+X3Y3+....)% + M3(X1Y1+X2Y2+X3Y3+....)% +.....
2. The data of particulate matter (PM10) in 2022 was sourced from the declared amount of the Environmental Protection Administration's Stationary Pollution Source Air Pollution Fee and Emissions Declaration Integrated Management System, which was calculated as activity intensity x (1-control efficiency%) x emission factor.