Ben Warren
Emissions Principal, RSSB
Imagine if we had to watch TV in our houses using equipment from 30 years ago… we would be crying out for the advances we enjoy in 2025.
Yet this is the situation that rail found itself in when measuring noise: we were using outdated methodology dating back to a 1995 Department of Transport document.
Railway noise can have a serious impact on the health and wellbeing of people living close to railways, particularly those who are subjected to long-term and repeated exposure.
The UK Health Security Agency said that the equivalent of 13,000 years of good health (disability-adjusted life years) were lost to railway noise in 2018.
And it said ‘most of these losses were due to chronic annoyance and sleep disturbance, followed by stroke, ischaemic heart disease and diabetes’. So it is clear that railway noise is an important issue, and that understanding it and reducing its impact is crucial for industry leaders.
Yet, as mentioned above, the current methodology for railway noise calculation is outdated. For example, the pre-spreadsheet era calculation doesn’t accurately reflect the noise profiles of modern rolling stock—an inadequacy that creates significant risk.
It is in rail’s best interest—and that of the present and future neighbourhoods that we serve—to ensure we’re working from up-to-date noise calculation methods.
Addressing an obsolete methodology
Our ongoing work to develop a new updated standard for railway noise calculation, with input from experts at the University of Southampton and Network Rail, is a critical step forward.
It will provide a more accurate and contemporary framework for predicting noise levels and informing development decisions.
It carries significant implications for societal value, community relations, and cost efficiency—all of which are key priorities for those at the helm. Particularly, that is, with the government keen to unlock more areas to expand housing development by encouraging home building along railway lines.
The sound barrier
Without an accurate understanding of potential noise levels, there is a risk that these developments near railway lines could be designed with inadequate noise insulation. This risk extends to Network Rail and their ambitious plans to build 40,000 new homes on railway land. And inadequate noise insulation could lead to complaints from residents, as well as a rise in health issues among them.
The financial implications of inaccurate noise calculation are substantial. For example, failure to properly assess and manage noise levels can lead to costly legal battles, reputational damage, and the need for unplanned expenditure to address community grievances.
In funding and managing the development of the new noise calculation standards, we’re seeking to help industry adopt more precise assessments and implement cost-effective mitigation strategies from the outset.
Social responsibility and strategic investment
Rail has a responsibility towards its neighbours to protect their wellbeing, and updating the noise calculation methodology will no doubt contribute to a healthier living environment. It’ll also allow rail to foster more positive relationships with neighbouring communities and ensure the long-term social licence to operate and expand.
It’s worth reiterating that our work to develop the new standard for railway noise calculation isn’t just a technical update. It’s a strategic investment in cost efficiency, a commitment to societal wellbeing, and a crucial element in building and maintaining positive relationships with the communities the railway serves.
For a forward-thinking and responsible rail industry, the management of noise and its impact is absolutely critical.