"Compensate for 'Nighttime Noise Damage' Occurred at Bus Turnaround Point"

Central Environmental Dispute Mediation Committee Recognizes Mental Damage Caused by Bus Noise at City Bus Turnaround Site
Orders Compensation of 1.84 Million KRW to Residents Near the Turnaround Site

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] A compensation decision has been made for residents near a city bus turnaround site who suffered from nighttime noise damage.

The Central Environmental Dispute Mediation Committee under the Ministry of Environment announced on the 12th that it decided to compensate residents near the city bus turnaround site with 1.84 million KRW.

Previously, two residents living in Dongnim-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju (hereinafter applicants) claimed to have suffered from noise, exhaust fumes, and dust damage caused by the nearby city bus turnaround site, and demanded compensation from Gwangju Metropolitan City and the relevant bus operator. The applicants stated that since 2006, they have experienced mental damage such as sleep disturbance and inability to open windows due to exhaust fumes and noise emitted from buses entering the respondent’s turnaround site located about 5 meters from their residence. On weekdays, 8 buses operate 128 round trips daily at intervals of 13 to 17 minutes (average 15 minutes).

In response, the respondent replied to the committee that although they considered relocating the turnaround site following the applicants’ complaints, securing an alternative site was difficult. They also made efforts to reduce environmental damage by paving the turnaround site with asphalt and planting 360 trees along the boundary of the turnaround site.

The committee conducted an on-site investigation of vehicle noise at the turnaround site through noise and vibration experts and found that nighttime noise levels exceeded the permissible limits, recognizing the likelihood of mental damage caused by this.

However, regarding damage from exhaust fumes and dust, the committee did not recognize the likelihood of mental damage based on the fact that the buses operated by the respondent use compressed natural gas (CNG), which produces very little exhaust, and that regular vehicle emission inspections over three years showed carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons were all within standards.

Shin Jin-su, Chairperson of the Central Environmental Dispute Mediation Committee, stated, "Local governments should take measures to reduce environmental damage, such as selecting appropriate locations for bus turnaround sites and installing soundproof walls during operation." He added, "If efforts are made to introduce zero-emission vehicles (such as electric and hydrogen buses) that do not produce exhaust and operate with low noise at an early stage, unnecessary disputes can be minimized."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.