RSSB Supplier Day - Tuesday 21st February - RSSB2502 - T1125 - Reducing the impact of noise on future residents of line-side developments

RSSB is holding a Supplier Day on Tuesday 21st February 3pm-4pm here at our offices in London for RSSB2502 - T1125 - Reducing the impact of noise on future residents of line-side developments.

If you would like to attend please email the below email address vy 5pm Monday 20th February:

[email protected]

-- Mixed traffic railways subject local soundscapes to numerous aural intrusions, notably those from train horns, engine idling, and public address systems. For the residents of line-side properties, this operational pulse may rise to nuisance with objectionable frequency, volume, timing, or secondary effects (for example, vibrations). As the prominent public face of the rail industry (and the perceived perpetrators), noise and other environmental complaints are often (mis)directed at Train Operating Companies (TOCs). Consequently, these franchised passenger operators endure the public relations cost of nuisance entombed in the built infrastructure.

Changes to railway operations - for example, increasing the frequency or varying the type of service - can adversely affect line-side communities. Correlating with recent timetable alterations (made to meet greater capacity needs on many urban routes), there has been a notable increase in nuisance complaints from longstanding line-side residents.

Under government instruction to enable new residential developments, Network Rail is disposing of assets at 13 line-side locations. Although a range of guidance exists to mitigate railway-related noise nuisance (notably from CIRIA), there is little clarity as to how far previous developments have followed best practice, and scarce assurance that profit-driven developers will exercise scrupulous diligence in this area. Owing to the necessary haste of these sales, and in the absence of contractual obligation, industry is unable to ensure that developers fully consider the aural impact that current (and likely increasing) levels of rail traffic may inflict on line-side residents.

This research intends to map the existing processes related to railway-specific sound attenuation - prescribing therapy for any communicational shortcomings and remedy for any responsibility deficiencies identified. To do so, the project will review the history of line-side developments and assess the relative success of noise impact assessments undertaken during the planning phase. This learning will establish revised processes, tempered with experience, to inform the 13 line-side developments (each at differing stages of planning) and to positively contribute to the effective long-term management of railway-related noise. Accordingly, the project team will both develop and deliver consultative advice in the execution of this research. Due to the likely benefit of iterative learning (that is, developing best process through a cycle of engagement, analysis, and review), the project requires a single, cohesive work package.