Noise reduction requires EUR 1.8 Billion in investments

Noise pollution affects over 10% of Europe’s population who is exposed to noise levels that exceed the serious disturbance threshold. In order to reduce the noise levels, the European Union adopted the Technical Specifications for Noise (TSI). In accordance with these TSIs, by 2015 transport operators should equip their rolling stock with high-performance technical equipment. In order to implement such projects, the value of investments required amounts to EUR 1.8 Billion.

The Technical Specifications for Noise entered into force in 2006 and the requirements come from the first Directive for Interoperability 2001/16/EC. Noise emissions depend on the infrastructure and on the type of vehicles for which there are restrictions in terms of noise during stationing, during operation, when leaving an exact point or within the vehicle.
The legislation imposes the same restrictions for the new and refurbished rolling stock which operates in the European space. That is why vehicles should be equipped with silent brake shoes, which significantly reduce noise emissions. In order to implement projects for noise reduction, it is necessary to allocate investments for infrastructure and rolling stock optimization. For instance, brake shoes are mostly made of forged iron, which supposes periodical renewal, especially in the case of rail cars that travel more than 10,000 km per year and whose life expectancy is of at least 5 years. These rail cars could be adapted to reduce the noise level at efficient costs. In recent years, the railway industry has developed several types of brake shoes made of composite materials in order to replace the conventional brake shoes made of cast iron, which constitutes the main source of strength for the track and wheel. This new technology reduces noise by up to 50%. In case of new rail cars, it is recommended that they be equipped with brake shoes type K (made of organic composite materials, which possess the same features and the traditional brake shoes). In case of used rail cars, it is recommended to be equipped with brake shoes type LL, which are made specifically for post-equipment (they need only some minor adjustments of the braking system). In case of brake shoes type K, the post-equipment of the vehicle requires adjustments that lead to initial additional costs of EUR 10,000/rail car. Equipping rail cars with this type of brake shoes leads to investment costs of EUR 200-700 Million (for LL brake shoes) or EUR 1-1.8 Billion (for K brake shoes). Also, the additional maintenance costs amount to EUR 200-400 Million, cumulated by 2025 (in case of both technologies).
“In rail transport, the noise-related issue cannot be solved easily and with minimum investments. The noise made during  operation and braking, especially in case of freight cars, represents a critical issue that could be solved immediately. The TSI for Noise has stimulated the railway sector in developing solutions that also raised many issues within the companies”, said for Railway Pro Ernest Godward, Project Officer within the Economic Evaluation Office, ERA (European Railway Agency).
The finalization of the post-equipment programs for the European rolling stock fleet has been estimated for 2015, considering the time interval necessary to replace the brake shoes. By the end of 2011, ERA will finalize the first intermediary TSI report and in June 2013 the final report will be drafted.

by Pamela Luică


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