Developing a Good Practice Guide on the Evaluation of Human Response to Vibration from Railways in Residential Environments

The adverse effects that noise and vibration from railway systems in residential environments can have on people are key obstacles for the development of new rail systems and the operation of existing lines. Recent years have seen an increase in public sensitivity towards noise and vibration from rail systems and the success of legislation to control noise levels around railway lines has resulted in an increase in the number of complaints about railway-induced vibration. Costly mitigation measures coupled with unclear or non-existent assessment methods mean that there is a need in industry and consultancy for clear guidance on the assessment of groundborne vibration from rail systems with respect to human response.