Several countries have enacted severe noise control standards and European noise legislation is being considered as well. Detailed studies in Switzerland, the Netherlands as well as a UIC sponsored 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 with the best cost-benefit ratio. In an effort to determine optimal strategies on a European as well as on 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 cost-benefit analyses The acoustically relevant geographic, traffic and track data have been collected for 11'000 km of line length in seven European countries. Standard cost-benefit analysis methodologies were adapted to fit the requirements of noise control projects. A specifically developed extrapolation methodology enables studies on any geographic area of interest in Europe. Combinations including rolling stock improvement show good cost effectiveness. The effectiveness can be further increased with track measures. Noise barriers show poor cost-benefit ratios.
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