An assessment of the effectiveness of replacing slab track to control groundborne noise and vibration in buildings above an existing railway tunnel

Abstract

This paper describes track refurbishment works undertaken by the Network Rail Thameslink Programme to control groundborne noise and vibration transmission to sensitive buildings located above the existing King's Cross railway tunnel in London, England. Measurements of noise, vibration and rail roughness have been undertaken to assess the immediate benefit of replacing the existing corrugated rails and continuous rail supports with new rails and the Pandrol Vanguard baseplate system. The effectiveness of these works over a period of 18 months has also been assessed.