Railways play a pivotal role in modern transport systems, contributing significantly to economic growth and societal connectivity. However, railways rank as the second most significant noise polluter, following roads, and noise stands as the second largest environmental factor impacting health, after air pollution caused by particulate matter [1, 2]. Thus, integrating a low-noise approach into rail asset management is crucial for operational optimisation and promoting railways as good neighbours aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the EU Green Deal.
Addressing railway noise and vibration requires well-thought-out harmonised strategies, supporting good health and global UN SDG Target 3. The technical approach should centre on curbing environmental impacts as rail traffic and transport infrastructure grow. The International Union of Railways (UIC) acknowledges this challenge and emphasizes cross-border collaboration to reduce noise and vibration levels through its Noise and Vibration (NV) Sector, promoting sustainable development.
This paper presents recent reports, including preliminary studies on nuisance [3] and parked train noise management [4], addressing to global concerns. It also highlights outcomes from the LOWNOISEPAD project [5], offering innovative solutions for noise reduction through optimised rail pads in Europe. These results guide sustainable investments and enable the railway sector to embrace its responsibility as good neighbours, amidst environmental, societal, and economic turmoil. This approach underlines the urgency of noise mitigation for a more sustainable involvement of railways in communities.
Transforming Railways into Quiet Neighbours: Pioneering a Global Approach to Noise Reduction
Lect.Notes Mobility
Transport Research Arena Conference ; 2024 ; Dublin, Ireland April 15, 2024 - April 18, 2024
Transport Transitions: Advancing Sustainable and Inclusive Mobility ; Chapter : 12 ; 78-84
2025-07-19
7 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
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