Railway-Induced Noise and Vibration

Over the past few decades, as urban congestion and the demand for mass transportation have risen, the expansion of railway lines has been a significant trend observed in India and the rest of the world. As per the United Nations’ prediction, approximately 66% of the global population will reside in metropolitan areas by around 2050, leading to the need for an eco-friendly mass transportation system. However, with the increasing railway growth, there has been an environmental concern related to noise and vibration caused by train passage. The vibration and noise-induced due to trains can be uncomfortable and annoying to people living nearby and affect old buildings and sensitive equipment. Rail-wheel interaction is considered the primary vibration source, thus inducing noise. This chapter discusses the problems related to railway noise/vibration, its mitigations, control, and the regulations that define the limits of noise/vibration levels.