Project description
The European Commission is under significant political pressure to take action against railway noise. As a result of this DG MOV and DG ENV are currently developing both regulation/policy proposals to reduce noise emissions from the rail sector. Recent and ongoing developments include; growing interest in Noise Charges (NDTAC) (in force in NL, DE, CH, plus interest from AT, BE & CZ), DG MOV roadmap & staff working document, co-financing of retrofitting via the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), REFIT of the Environmental Noise Directive, increasing interest in the regulation of railway vibration. These developments will have a significant impact on the sector, particularly for freight. There are a number of other important developments by key stakeholders including; publication of guidance by the World Health Organisation and the risk of unilateral action by national governments (speed restrictions and bans / de-facto bans of noisy wagons). The Commission is also developing the scope of major research programs (eg Shift2Rail). The research programs present an important opportunity for technical development of low noise rail transport. It is important that UIC, as the sectors technical body, provides input to these developments. This is required minimise negative impacts (eg costs), ensure that the proposals are proportionate, promote effective noise management & support growth of the freight sector.
