Researchers have suggested a novel way to combat the Hong Kong Stadium's notorious noise problem.
Staff at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have spent more than three months studying the feasibility of using 'active noise control' to tackle the problem which has led to underuse of the stadium for live events.
Professor Ronald So Ming-cho, who chairs the department of mechanical engineering, said the method involved generating a noise 'barrier' in which a distributed sound source offset other noise, in effect containing the sound within the stadium.
Professor So and his colleagues, Professor Fung Kee-ying, Dr Yuan Jing and Dr Haung Lixi, have discussed their project with members of the Provisional Urban Council, pointing out that sound levels dropped 20 decibels compared with the 10-decibel reduction from another option - the installation of a retractable roof.
'Proper sound source arrangement could lead to a desirable cancellation effect outside the stadium,' Professor Fung said.
The Urban Council is now considering the laboratory-tested plan.
