Subject Impacts of Tunnels in the UK

Date 1 June 2015 Job No/Ref

1 Ground-Borne Noise and Vibration from Rail Tunnels

1.1.1 This information note describes ground-borne noise and vibration from the operation of trains
running in tunnels.
1.1.2 Best practice mitigation measures taken from recent projects in the UK are presented,
demonstrating the ability to manage and control the effects ground-borne noise and vibration,
hence limiting the impacts on the people and assets located in the vicinity of the infrastructure.
1.1.3 The information provided in this note has largely be adapted from the Impact of Tunnels in the
UK report1, written on behalf of High Speed 2 in 2013. Arup were one of the main authors of
the noise and vibration sections of the report.

Noise and vibration

1.1.4 Ground-borne vibration created by train services can propagate through the ground to
surrounding buildings where it may result in the vibration of floors, walls and ceilings; which
could also be heard as a low frequency ‘rumbling’ sound (called ground-borne sound).

1.1.5 Ground-borne vibration created by train services can propagate through the ground to
surrounding buildings where it may result in the vibration of floors, walls and ceilings; which
could also be heard as a low frequency ‘rumbling’ sound (called ground-borne sound).

1.1.6 The ground borne sound level is reported as LpASmax, in decibels, where:
 Lp denotes the Sound Pressure Level
 A denotes A-weighting, that represents the sensitivity of the human ear
 S denotes Slow time response over 1 second
 max denotes the maximum value during a single train pass-by.

1
http://assets.hs2.org.uk/sites/default/files/inserts/Impacts%20of%20tunnels%20in%20the%20UK.pdf

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Subject Impacts of Tunnels in the UK
Date 1 June 2015 Job No/Ref

1.1.7 Airborne noise is usually assessed by considering the predicted levels during operation with the
current noise levels. However for ground-borne sound, there are no relevant national or
international standards setting criteria for the acceptable levels. The requirements are generally
specified for each project and may identify specific buildings of types of buildings that have
different requirements. The impact criteria in general use are set out in Table 1. These have
been drawn from similar projects in the UK and Ireland (e.g. Crossrail, the Jubilee Line, DART
Underground, Dublin Metro North and HS1). These projects assess ground-borne sound in
terms of the absolute level of sound generated by a train passing by.

Table 1 Ground-borne sound impact criteria for residential receptors with illustrative descriptions
Impact Ground- Description 1 Existing example (where there are
classification borne similar levels of ground borne
sound noise) 2
level dB
LpASmax
Negligible < 35 The passage of trains may be audible to Recent rail tunnels such as Jubilee
particularly sensitive people during quiet Line Extension and HS1
periods of the day. Very unlikely to
cause complaint
Low 35-39 The passage of trains may be audible Ground floor room 20-70 metres from
particularly during quieter periods of the London Underground Limited tunnel.
day such as evening or early morning. Levels dependent on tunnel depth,
Level of annoyance is likely to be low ground-type and train speed 3
with few complaints
Medium 40-44 The passage of trains is likely to be Ground floor room 10-40 metres from
audible regardless of the time of day. London Underground Limited tunnel.
Levels likely to give rise to some Levels dependent on tunnel depth and
annoyance during quieter periods of the ground-type 3
day. There may be some complaints
High 45-49 Noise from the passage of trains will Directly above some atypical existing
tend to be prominent and give rise to London Underground Limited lines
annoyance regardless of time of day. It (e.g. shallow tunnel with poor quality
is likely that there will be some jointed rails)
complaints
Very high >49 During the passage of trains ground- Directly above some exceptional
borne noise will probably dominate sections of existing London
above noise from other sources (road Underground lines (e.g. extremely
traffic etc.). Considerable annoyance shallow tunnel with very poor quality
likely throughout the day and night. jointed rails)
There may be some sleep disturbance.
Complaints very likely
1. The descriptions relate to the possible subjective impression of these levels of ground-borne noise as a result of the
operation of a new railway.
2. The examples are made on the basis that LUL ground-borne noise is of a similar spectral character to that predicted for
the passage of trains on tunnelled sections of HS2.
3. The examples for low and medium categories assume an underground railway of similar construction to the London
Underground Central Line.

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Subject Impacts of Tunnels in the UK
Date 1 June 2015 Job No/Ref

1.2 Factors affecting noise and vibration

Sources of noise and vibration

1.2.1 Once a railway is in operation, the passage of trains will generate vibration in the ground. The
level of noise and vibration in neighboring buildings is dependent on the forces applied by the
train to the rails and the attenuation between the rails and the buildings. This attenuation can be
calculated and the level of mitigation can be designed to achieve acceptable levels of noise and
vibration inside buildings.

1.2.2 See Figure 1.

Figure 1 Transmission of noise and vibration from source to receptor

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Subject Impacts of Tunnels in the UK
Date 1 June 2015 Job No/Ref

1.3 Control of ground noise and vibration for major infrastructure

projects

1.3.1 Over the last 20 years or so, tunnelled rail schemes have been successfully delivered and now
operate with no ground-borne noise or vibration impact or a minimised level of impact.

1.3.2 Early rail tunnels caused significant levels of noise and vibration in properties above them. The
main reasons were:
 Poor rail alignment: It was difficult to control the exact position of the top of the rail,
resulting in additional variations of force between the wheel and the rail. Modern
techniques ensure that the rail is positioned far more precisely during construction.
 Rolling stock suspension: The suspension design and operation of early trains meant
that the whole mass of the locomotive / carriage or a significant part of the mass would
contribute to the dynamic forces at the wheel / rail interface and hence increase ground-
borne noise and vibration. Modern train suspension isolates much of the vehicle’s mass
from the dynamic forces that cause ground-borne noise and vibration.
 Rail Joints: Originally the rails were made up from 60 feet long sections, connected
together with fishplates. These joints produced the “clickety clack” noise heard from a
surface railway and the additional impact as each wheel crossed the joint generated an
impact force that was transmitted into the ground. Modern track is formed from
continuous welded rail removing these impact forces.
 Poor track and wheel maintenance: Much of the noise and vibration generation occurs
because of roughness in the rail head and wheel surface. Even though the rail may
appear shiny and smooth, there are variations in level that impart additional forces.
Modern monitoring equipment and rail and wheel grinding techniques are used to
maintain both surfaces to a high standard to reduce the noise from roughness. A high
standard of maintenance is also necessary to ensure passenger ride comfort at high
speed. These measures reduce wear and tear as well as reducing ground-borne noise and
vibration.
 Rigid track supports: The rails were rigidly fastened to sleepers which were supported
on a relatively thin layer of ballast in the tunnel. Modern track includes rubber pads
directly under the rails to help isolate the vibrations. The track itself is often separated
from the tunnel lining to reduce the transmitted vibration.

Thanks to the improvements in track and rolling stock design, the impact of trains running in the
newer tunnels, such as the Jubilee Line, is substantially better than from trains running in the
older tunnels.

1.3.3 From a ground-borne noise and vibration perspective the differences are considerable and many
of the noise generating sources found in old trains and tunnels either no longer exist in modern
tunnels or simply cannot occur because of track geometry and train design.
Historical improvements in noise performance

1.3.4 The improvements in rail tunnel performance with time are shown in Figure 2. Since each
tunnel affects a large number of properties, the value given is only approximate. The figure

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Subject Impacts of Tunnels in the UK
Date 1 June 2015 Job No/Ref

shows the date of opening for each tunnel and the noise level in a building above it. (Points 1, 2
and 4 represent recent measurements taken for old tunnels.) The introduction of the
Environmental Impact Assessment process in 1988 is shown by a blue line. Schemes designed
after that date have a design aim of LpASMax 40dB(A) or lower.

1.3.5 The information shows that the ground-borne noise from tunnels built more than 100 years ago
is sufficiently loud to cause complaints (45-55 dB). More recent rail tunnels have achieved
much lower noise levels where the use of mitigation has been justified. For the Docklands
Light Railway, Jubilee Line Extension and High Speed 1 tunnels (points 12, 13, 14 and 15) the
sound levels are negligible (<35dB).

70
Ground-borne Noise from Railways in
Tunnels
60

1
2 3
50
LpASMax

4 10 11 15
6 8
40 9 14
5

16
30 7 13
12

20

10
1840 1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 2020
Opening Date
Figure 2 Improvements in ground-borne noise from railways in tunnels
with time

Modern track

1.3.6 The following case studies show how modern track design has been incorporated into schemes
to avoid significant effects on the occupiers of residential properties and other noise sensitive
receptors located above tunnels.

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Subject Impacts of Tunnels in the UK
Date 1 June 2015 Job No/Ref

CASE STUDY: Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) – Now HS1

Scheme: The Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) is the high-speed rail link between the Channel
Tunnel and London. It is 108 km (68 miles) long and runs between St Pancras Station in London to the
Channel Tunnel. CTRL carries international and domestic passenger services between
0530h and 2400h, and a growing number of high speed freight services during the day and night. The line
was delivered in two sections. Section 1, with a line speed of 300km/h (188mph), runs mainly on the
surface from the Channel Tunnel to the River Thames. Construction started in 1998 and operation
commenced in September 2003. Section 2, with a line speed of 230km/h (144mph), runs from the River
Thames to St Pancras and is primarily in tunnel. Construction started in 2001 and operation started in late
2007. CTRL was delivered on time and within budget. The project includes five ‘green tunnels’ and three
major excavated tunnels.

London tunnels
• 18km, twin bore tunnel, excavated around 20m to 40m below ground level through sand, mixed sand &
clay, and clay ground types.
• Excavated by tunnel boring machines launched from Stratford and Dagenham.
• Trains run at up to 230km/h on low vibration slab track that was specifically developed for
CTRL and which sets a new benchmark for the level of ground-borne noise and vibration reduction for a
high speed railway tunnel.
• The tunnels pass under or near 4,000+ homes, as well a number of offices and shops, but do not pass
especially sensitive properties, such as hospitals or recording studios.
• No complaint about ground-borne noise or vibration has been recorded since the CTRL entered service.

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Subject Impacts of Tunnels in the UK
Date 1 June 2015 Job No/Ref

CASE STUDY: Control of ground-borne noise and vibration on Jubilee Line Extension
using resilient rail support

Image credit: B. Stewart (MottMacDonald)

Scheme: The Jubilee Line, an extension to Charing Cross of the former Stanmore branch of
the Bakerloo Line, opened in 1979 using traditional rail support resulting in significant levels of vibration
and ground-borne noise. The line was extended to Stratford from a new turnout south of Green Park in
central London. It passes under Westminster, Southwark and east London in tunnel as far as Canning Town,
and opened in 1999. The Jubilee Line extension was the first London Underground scheme to be subject to
Environmental Impact Assessment, and the first deep tube system to be designed to targets for ground-
borne noise and vibration which would result in no significant effects on occupiers of building above the
tunnels.

Tunnel and track details: The tunnel is generally 4.35m diameter lined with concrete segments, with some
cast iron sections, at a range of depths from 20m-30m. The trains are London Underground tube trains
operating at up to 80 km/h. The standard track support consists of resilient rail baseplates designed to meet
a target for ground-borne noise of not more than 40 dB LpASmax, found to be the threshold of complaints
following the opening of the Jubilee and Victoria lines. There are some sections with floating slab track
where the tunnels pass below buildings with highly sensitive uses or buildings with deep foundations close
to the tunnels.

Monitoring: Following the opening of the system measurements of vibration and ground-borne noise
showed that the design aims had been met.

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Subject Impacts of Tunnels in the UK
Date 1 June 2015 Job No/Ref

CASE STUDY: Control of ground-borne noise and vibration on Crossrail using resilient
rail support

Image graphic: Crossrail Ltd

Scheme: The Crossrail project includes twin tunnels from Royal Oak near Paddington to
portals east of Liverpool Street, in Pudding Mill Lane and Victoria Dock, passing under the residential areas
of Bayswater and Mayfair, under the West End and the City of London and under residential areas in east
London. Following the precedent of the Jubilee Line Extension, the Environmental Statement included
mitigation of vibration and ground-borne noise so as to avoid significant effects both for residential;
buildings and many highly sensitive buildings such as the Barbican concert hall.

Tunnel and track details: The tunnel is designed for the operation of mainline electric multiple units at up
to 100km/h and is generally 6.2m diameter lined with concrete segments, at a range of depths of up to
40m. The standard track support will be designed with resilient rail support endeavouring to meet a target
for ground-borne noise in residential buildings of 35 dB LpASmax and with a limit for predicted levels not to
exceed 40 dB LpASmax. There will be some sections with floating slab track where the tunnels pass below
buildings with highly sensitive uses or buildings with deep foundations close to the tunnels. For the first
time there ground-borne noise from the temporary construction railway has also been controlled with very
few complaints.

Monitoring: Monitoring of ground-borne noise and vibration from the operating railway will take place
following the start of test running of trains in 2018.

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Subject Impacts of Tunnels in the UK
Date 1 June 2015 Job No/Ref

CASE STUDY: Vibration reduction on Victoria Line, high resilient rail fastening

Image credit: Pandrol Ltd

Scheme: The rail fastenings on a 120m long section of the southbound Victoria Line between
Oxford Circus and Green Park stations were replaced in 2000. The track had conventional cast-iron
baseplates fixed to timber sleepers. It was replaced by highly resilient rail fastenings on concrete sleepers.

Tunnel details: The northbound and southbound tracks run in separate tunnels, around 25m apart and at
20m below ground level. All of the trains passed at approximately 50km/h.

Monitoring: The vibrations of the tunnel structure and the ground surface were measured before and after
the track was replaced, as well as nearly a year later. The response from trains on both lines was measured,
allowing a direct comparison between the original and replaced trackforms.

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