Rail Freight Noise Abatement in Europe

A consensus building workshop for all relevant stakeholders

Conclusions and next steps

Luc Aliadière, UIC

UIC, Paris 25.10.2005

Rail Freight Noise Abatement in Europe

A consensus building workshop for all relevant stakeholders

UIC, Paris 25.10.2005

Conclusions: Context

• European transport policy– Sustainable transport: favours rail transport

• Environmentally sound rail transportation requires noise control

• Environmental Noise Directive– Noise maps 2006, Action plans 2007

• A business case for the railways

Rail Freight Noise Abatement in Europe

A consensus building workshop for all relevant stakeholders

UIC, Paris 25.10.2005

Conclusions: State of the Art

• Technology for quiet rail vehicles available– K-blocks homologised– LL-blocks in operational tests

• Retrofitting has best cost-benefit ratio– Higher effectiveness than noise barriers– Overall costs can be determined– Operational experience favourable

• Railway noise less annoying than road traffic– Can be solved with rolling stock improvement

Rail Freight Noise Abatement in Europe

A consensus building workshop for all relevant stakeholders

UIC, Paris 25.10.2005

Conclusions: Funding/Financing

• Retrofitting requires initial investment

• Outside help necessary– EU: likely only for new member states– Subsidy by member states: requires State Aid guidelines

• Investment shift from infrastructure to rolling stock – Can reduce overall costs by factors

Rail Freight Noise Abatement in Europe

A consensus building workshop for all relevant stakeholders

UIC, Paris 25.10.2005

Next steps• Member states, regions:

– Clarify subsidies– Include retrofitting in action plans

• EU:– State Aid guidelines– Clarify funding possibilities

• UIC, Railways: – Technical optimisation– Organise network– Detailed costs per country by the end of the year

Rail Freight Noise Abatement in Europe

A consensus building workshop for all relevant stakeholders

UIC, Paris 25.10.2005

Next steps

• Next Workshops:- Autumn 2006- Autumn 2007

• Assistance for local events or action plans:- Contact UIC if participation by UIC ActionProgramme members is beneficial(orsini@uic.asso.fr)

Rail Freight Noise Abatement in Europe

A consensus building workshop for all relevant stakeholders

Closing coffee & networking

Thank you for your participation and

have a safe trip home!

UIC, Paris 25.10.2005