Railway noise abatement in Switzerland: A progress report

Abstract

Detailed cost-effectiveness analyses based on extensive mapping led to an ambitious railway noise abatement programme in Switzerland. This programme includes 1) rolling stock improvement by retrofitting all Swiss rolling stock with composite brake blocks 2) noise barriers with a cost-benefit constraint, and 3) installing insulated windows where legislated thresholds cannot be achieved with the first two measures. Additional incentives are differential track access charges. The noise abatement programme is part of a package to promote public transportation which is largely financed through taxes on road freight transportation, on gasoline and with the value added tax. This package was accepted by public vote in 1998. The 15 year implementation programme started in 2000 is now in its 9 th year: During this time more than 4500 freight wagons (out of a total of 7000) have been retrofitted and about 100 km of noise barriers (out of a total of 300 km necessary) have been constructed. The noise barriers built and the wagons retrofitted to date have made it possible to attain legal thresholds for some 63'000 people out of the total of 250'000 persons with noise levels exceeding thresholds. Once the project is complete, 170'000 people will attain thresholds levels while the rest will receive noise insulated windows. This combination of measures costs only 30 % of scenarios where all persons are brought under legal thresholds.