CrossRail: Noise and vibration control

Abstract

From the point of view of noise and vibration, the east–west tunnel under central London is the feature of CrossRail which draws immediate attention. Even at the outset of train service operation there will be some 24 trains per peak hour in each direction passing under the capital. It is expected that over time, as demand for services increases, both the length of trains and their frequency will be enhanced. These will not be the familiar London Underground trains, but full-sized suburban trains of main-line weights and travelling at higher speeds. CrossRail will also provide a more frequent service on some existing surface lines, raising the possibility of increased audibility on these lines. This paper describes the criteria by which the perception of trains in these situations should be judged, and the corresponding steps taken to estimate the expected noise and vibration effects. Where necessary, mitigation techniques are discussed, both for the core tunnel section and over the surrounding surface lines feeding it.