The challenge
A stationary train is not a silent one. In depots, sidings and yards, air conditioning and auxiliary systems often keep running through the night, close to homes and neighbourhoods. At European level there is a debate on whether this noise needs its own limit values. Any decision first needs numbers: how many people live close enough to these areas to be disturbed, and where.
The approach
The study, commissioned by UIC under the NOVITÀ programme (UIC project P000827), covers Europe and looks at 12 countries in detail. The first step is to find out where trains actually park: parking areas are identified and checked on satellite imagery, with an AI-assisted procedure. The second step is to overlay these areas on population grids, to estimate how many people live within the distances at which parked train noise can cause disturbance.
The work brings together TT's two core skills: environmental noise and the handling of large geographic datasets.
The expected result
The study is in progress. It will give UIC a factual basis for assessing whether European limit values for parked train noise are needed.
The technical director's role
The technical director, RafDouglas C. Tommasi, P.E., PhD, is team leader, project manager and lead for the GIS work. The work is carried out with no partners or subcontractors.