Minimising noise from viaducts in the borough area of London for the Thameslink Programme

Description/Abstract

Network Rail’s Thameslink Programme is designed to deliver a substantial increase in passenger capacity north-south across London. Part of the measures necessary to achieve this is the construction of new viaducts in central London south of the river Thames parallel to existing 19th century wrought iron viaducts. The route passes through a busy city area and it is vital for the project to demonstrate that it will minimise noise from the railway. Studies are reported here that assess bridge and track design to reduce noise - these use the ‘Norbert’ model for bridge noise rolling noise. A combined view of results for of old and new bridges has been used to show the important noise sources for ten sensitive receivers. The acoustic design for the area has then been optimised by looking at the effects of the combination of different track and bridge designs.