T re s ho l d v a l u e , 9 0 dBAFigure 15: Histogram of Noise Exposure Level of All Study Area5.2 DiscussionsMeasurement <strong>and</strong> data collection of noiseexposure level using Digital Sound LevelMeter were taken at 10 selected shoppingcomplexes. Based on the observation, thelowest noise exposure level was recorded61 (dBA) at Alam<strong>and</strong>a Shopping Centre,Putrajaya <strong>and</strong> the highest was recorded115 (dBA) at TESCO Puchong, Selangor.However the average noise exposure leveldata varies between 61 (dBA) to 115 (dBA)depends on the condition in the shoppingcomplexes itself during the date <strong>and</strong> time theobservation were done.The source of noise exposure level alsovaries. Source of noise from the music, voiceof peoples, nearby noise from vehicles,children screaming were recorded. Duringthe noise exposure level data observation,the surrounding conditions also take intoconsideration. Based on the histogram, itshows that there are 4 shopping complexesexceed the treshold limits.• Pertama Complex• TESCO Puchong• GIANT Puchong• JUSCO EquineBased on the Allowable Factory <strong>and</strong>Machinery Act 1967, the Action Level is 90(dBA).5.3 Precaution <strong>and</strong> Assumption MadeDue to the time limitation of the study<strong>and</strong> other factors, several precautions <strong>and</strong>assumption has been made through the studyespecially <strong>for</strong> measurement considerations.5.3.1 Sound Level Meter MeasurementConsiderationsFor data observation using soundlevel meter, several measurementconsiderations has been made as follow;1) Wind blowing across the microphoneadds extraneous noise to themeasurement.2) Use the supplied windscreen to coverthe microphone when applicable.3) Calibrate the instrument be<strong>for</strong>e eachuse if possible. Especially if themeter has not been used <strong>for</strong> a longperiod of time.4) Do not store or operate the instrumentin areas of high temperature orhumidity.5) Keep meter <strong>and</strong> microphone dry.6) Avoid severe vibration when usingthe meter.7) Remove the battery when the meter isto be stored <strong>for</strong> long periods of time.5.3.2 GPS Data MeasurementConsiderationsFor GPS data observation, severalmeasurement considerations hasbeen made as follow;1) Be<strong>for</strong>e started any measurement,make sure at least 4 satelliteavailable on the sky to give the x,y, zcoordinate.2) Make sure at least 15 degree skyview to get the better result ofmeasurement.3) Make sure the data need to be takenabout 1-2 minutes observations toget the most accurate data.5.4 Limitation <strong>and</strong> ProblemsWhile conducting the study, some limitations<strong>and</strong> problems were encountered. Some ofthem are as follow;1) Due to the time limitation, the scopeof the study was narrowed.2) The pilot study were selected <strong>for</strong> 10selected shopping complexes only.The travel distance of each locationof shopping complex quite farfrom each others. So that, its quitetime consuming <strong>for</strong> fieldwork datacollection purposes.3) The availability of location data/data floor plan/floor plan <strong>for</strong>shopping complexes. Some of theshopping complex does not havethe appropiate floor plan. Some ofthem only have evacuation planonly whereas there have also the12 Buletin Geospatial Sektor Awam
shopping complexes does not haveboth of the in<strong>for</strong>mations.4) Editting task <strong>for</strong> GIS data such asadministrative boundary is very tidy<strong>and</strong> time consuming.5) Data observation <strong>for</strong> sound levelmeter need to be taken at least 3times <strong>and</strong> then average of maximum<strong>and</strong> minimum of the data observedwere recorded.6. CONCLUSION ANDRECOMMENDATIONS6.1 Conclusions1) The crucial part of the study isfieldwork data collection phase.With the good management<strong>and</strong> planning <strong>for</strong> fieldwork datacollection tasks, it can reduce cost<strong>and</strong> time saving.2) Generally, the noise exposure levelwithin the 10 selected shoppingcomplexes were between 61 (dBA)at Alam<strong>and</strong>a Shopping Centre,Putrajaya <strong>and</strong> the highest wasrecorded 115 (dBA) at TESCOPuchong, Selangor. The noiseexposure level recorded weredepends on the condition in theshopping complexes itself duringthe date <strong>and</strong> time of the observationperiod.3) The source of noise exposure levelalso varies. For example noisefrom the music, voice of peoples,from escalator, nearby noise fromvehicles, children screaming, etc.(Refer Appendix 1 <strong>for</strong> more details).4) Public awareness <strong>and</strong> supportin matters of noise environmentprotection has increased. The publicalso need to be educated to reduceof noise exposure level <strong>and</strong> avoidedto bring along their child <strong>and</strong>baby during the peak hours at theshopping complex.5) In totality, we can conclude thatthe noise exposure level in most 10selected shopping complexes abovethe safe limits except one or twoplaces exceed the limits during thepeak hours. Based on the AllowableOSHA Noise Exposure Levels(OSHA Regulations), the ActionLevel is 85 (dBA).6) OSHA’s Permissible ExposureLimits <strong>for</strong> noise exposure is 90 dBaveraged over an 8-hour work shift.For every 5 dB increase above 90,the number of permissible hours ofexposure is cut in half.7) The Noise Exposure MappingIn<strong>for</strong>mation System can be furtherenhance from the aspect security<strong>and</strong> module arrangement.In conclusion, the study has successfullyachieved the objective of the study. Themain objective of the study is to mapping ofnoise exposure level in shopping complexesusing geospatial technology. The applicationsuccessfully demonstrate the capability ofintegrating noise exposure level data withGPS data within the geospatial environment.Monitoring the effects of noise is onlypossible with an extensive spatial database<strong>and</strong> spatial analysing tools. Furthermorecomputation <strong>for</strong>ce is necessary. GIS <strong>for</strong>msa powerful set of tools <strong>for</strong> storing <strong>and</strong>retrieving, trans<strong>for</strong>ming <strong>and</strong> displayingspatial data from the real world <strong>for</strong> aparticular set of purposes. (Burrough, 1986).Integration of GIS <strong>and</strong> noise exposure leveldata has a number of advantages:• GIS can <strong>for</strong>m a link betweengeographical <strong>and</strong> geometricalin<strong>for</strong>mation of the surroundings<strong>and</strong> the noise exposure level data.The integration makes it possible togenerate dynamic noise exposurelevel in<strong>for</strong>mation using latest ICTtechnology <strong>for</strong> data dissemination.• GIS contains additional tools <strong>for</strong>storing, managing, analysing <strong>and</strong>presenting the needed geographicaldata <strong>and</strong> noise exposure level data.6.2 Recommendations1) Public awareness programmeshould be carried out <strong>for</strong> allemployees/customers who areworking or visiting at shoppingcomplexes. These employees/customers need to be educated toreduce of noise exposure level <strong>and</strong>avoided to bring along their child<strong>and</strong> baby during the peak hours atthe shopping complex.2) Duty scheme in the shoppingcomplexes should be revisedwhereby employees should notworking more than 8 hours ifexposed to the high level of noise.3) Employees who are working inshopping complexes should beeducated with the OSHA Act,Factory <strong>and</strong> Machinery Act <strong>and</strong>the usage of Personal ProtectionEquipment (PPE).4) Every shopping complexes shouldhave or <strong>for</strong>med the <strong>safety</strong> <strong>and</strong> healthcommitee based on the requirementof OSHA (Act 514).5) Recommended that use of hearingprotective devices (earplugs,earmuffs) is permitted only ifengineering <strong>and</strong> administrativecontrols fail to reduce sound levelswithin the prescribed levels.6) Noise levels need to be monitoredwhen noise levels are known orsuspected to be at or above 85 dBor hearing protective devices arenot sufficient to lower exposure to90 dB. Workers have the right toobserve monitoring procedures <strong>and</strong>to be notified of monitoring results.7) Records of noise exposure must beretained <strong>for</strong> two years. Audiometrictest records must be retained<strong>for</strong> the duration of the worker’semployment. Records must be madeavailable to the employee uponrequest.8) Employees exposed at or above85 dB averaged over eight hoursmust be trained on noise <strong>hazard</strong>s.Training must cover the <strong>hazard</strong>s ofexposure to excessive noise levels,reasons <strong>for</strong>, <strong>and</strong> proper selection,fitting, <strong>and</strong> maintenance ofhearing protective devices, <strong>and</strong> anexplanation of audiometric testing.9) Further study should be includedon study of detail noise inducedhearing loss (NIHL) correlationswith the noise exposure level interm of cost to compensate <strong>for</strong> thenoise induced hearing loss (NIHL).10) A questionaire method should beincluded to get the real data fromthe employees/workers in theshopping complexes.11) Dynamic/remote sound level meterwhich capable to transmits thenoise exposure level data shouldbe develop to help the authority(DOSH) to monitor the noiseexposure level in the shoppingcomplexes <strong>for</strong> en<strong>for</strong>cement actionpurposes.12) Additional data to support moreaccurate noise exposure levelmonitoring <strong>system</strong> should beobtained <strong>for</strong> further enhancementof noise exposure mappingin<strong>for</strong>mation <strong>system</strong> application.Buletin Geospatial Sektor Awam 13