Vibrations induced by railway traffic: from environmental impact assessment to exploration in new railway projects

Resumo

Prediction and control of ground-borne vibrations are one of the largest environmental challenges for railway exploration in urban areas. Nowadays, there is a shift at global level, in which investment in rail transport takes precedence over other transportation options, in a final attempt to drastically reduce CO2 emission. The expansion and improvement of the railway network, associated with the high standards of comfort required by modern societies, requires the assessment and mitigation of the environmental impact induced by the implementation of such infrastructures in nearby buildings, more specifically in their inhabitants and in the operation of sensitive equipment. Using a recently completed railway line in Porto, Portugal, as a case study, this paper aims to provide insights into the numerical studies conducted during the environmental impact assessment phase concerning vibrations induced by railway traffic. Additionally, it discusses the results from the experimental measurement campaign carried out after the line's construction to validate the assumptions made during the design phase regarding expected vibration levels.