Strategic vibration mapping for railway infrastructures

Abstract

The Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC requires the Member States to determine the exposure to environmental noise through noise mapping for agglomerations, roads, railways and airports using common methods of assessment. These maps will be made available to the public and will allow adopting action plans to prevent and reduce environmental noise, particularly where exposure levels can induce harmful effects. The END does not establish how to asses or reduce vibration impact caused by railway infrastructures. Within this directive, no common method of assessment or evaluation of people exposure to railway induced vibrations are defined. In this paper, Strategic Vibration Mapping concept for railway infrastructures is developed including discussion about input data, vibration harshness evaluation, quantification and action planning.