Controlling the impact of rail transport

From an ecological standpoint, rail transport already offers important advantages. There is still progress to be made, however, especially when it comes to noise pollution. Researchers are working hard to see that trains are an essential vehicle of sustainable development.


Four research objectives have been chosen:

/// Reduce noise annoyance, especially in urban areas, by taking corrective action on rolling stock, tracks and structures;

/// Reduce polluting emissions, which are already low locally because most trains operate with electric traction; this will be achieved by doing research on renewable energies, decreasing pollution from diesel engines, and treating fumes and smoke from standing locomotives;

/// Integrate rail transport in the landscape when constructing new lines using vegetation, new bridge designs, etc.

/// Make trains more recyclable by working with industrial suppliers.



Some examples of projects

Multiple-exposure noise annoyance
Reducing noise from steel bridges
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