UIC: costs of reducing railway noise could hinder modal shift
To reduce noise pollution from railways, infrastructure managers and operators are taking drastic measures for those living near the tracks. The high costs for additional noise measures could threaten to affect the competitiveness of rail...Read more
No more ‘noisy trains’ in Switzerland from next month
Switzerland will enforce the ban on the use of railway wagons with cast iron brake blocks from 1 July. These trains are much noisier than those with composite brakes. Violators of the new rule should...Read more
Poland concerned about noise regulations for ‘loud’ wagons
Many rail freight operators from Central and Eastern Europe will not be able to provide the quick modernisation of their wagon fleet, something that is required when several EU member states implement noise regulations. Member...Read more
Quiet brakes for almost all freight wagons the Netherlands in 2025
By 2025, around 95 percent of the wagons of all freight trains running in the Netherlands will be equipped with quiet brake blocks. This is a result of European legislation that specifies quiet routes, only...Read more
Noise differentiated track access charges under review
The effect of noise differentiated track access charges (NDTAC) in Europe is under review. Since 2015, it is legally possible for infrastructure managers to include a malus or bonus in the track access charge for...Read moreThe Netherlands at the forefront in reducing noise pollution
The Netherlands is at the forefront in reducing noise pollution caused by rail freight traffic. This is because it is a densely populated country where many people drive close to the track. Currently, more than...Read more