Policy Dossier

Noise

Noise represents the most important external cost of rail transport. In the framework of the Greening of Transport Package, the Commission published a communication on rail noise in July 2008. The Communication foresees the retrofitting of freight wagons with composite brake blocks that considerably reduce noise emissions. Furthermore, in the Recast of the First Railway Package (please see also UNIFE's Liberalisation page here), the introduction of noise differentiated track access charges is foreseen.

UNIFE welcomes the introduction of noise differentiated track access charges. This should be done in parallel to the internalisation of external costs in other modes of transport (please see also UNIFE's Eurovignette page here). Noise differentiated track access charges are a useful tool to reduce noise emissions and provide market based incentives for further technological developments.

In order to reap those benefits fully, overall noise reductions should be the aim. An overly narrow focus on single braking technologies may thus ultimately prove counterproductive. In the same vein, focus on track and wayside measures should also obtain its due share of attention in the effort of reducing noise emissions from freight trains.

For more information, please contact:

Nike Boennen

Public Affairs Manager

nike.boennen@unife.org

+32 2 626 12 69

UNIFE Links

To access UNIFE's position paper on noise (31.07.2007) please click here

External links

To access the communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on rail noise please click here.