The STAIRRS project, work package 1: A cost-benefit analysis of railway noise reduction on a European scale

摘要

Several countries have enacted severe noise control standards and European noise legislation isbeing considered as well. Detailed studies in Switzerland, the Netherlands as well as a UICsponsored study on two freight lines have demonstrated very high costs for noise control,however considerable savings can be achieved by choosing those noise control strategies withthe best cost-benefit ratio. In an effort to determine optimal strategies on a European as well ason national levels, the E.U. 5th framework program is co-financing the STAIRRS project(Strategies and Tools to Assess and Implement noise Reducing measures for Railway Systems).Work Package 1 is designed to develop the software necessary to undertake large scale costbenefitanalyses. The acoustically relevant geographic, traffic and track data have been collectedfor 11'000 km of line length in seven European countries. Standard cost-benefit analysismethodologies were adapted to fit the requirements of noise control projects. A specificallydeveloped extrapolation methodology enables studies on any geographic area of interest inEurope. Combinations including rolling stock improvement show good cost effectiveness. Theeffectiveness can be further increased with track measures. Noise barriers show poor cost-benefitratios.