A method of assessing the noise nuisance arising from the channel tunnel high speed rail system

Until recently railway noise has been accepted as a well established but dwindling source of noise nuisance, and has been subject to relatively little sociological study. The proposal for high speed trains through previously quiet areas has however called for the establishment of subjective noise zones. The paper puts forward such zones, based upon sociological data in other countries and on aircraft, road traffic and community data in the United Kingdom. Planning zones are calculated for the expected frequencies of rail services, and based upon the estimated and measured noise levels of high speed trains. Some comments are made upon the generalization of this information, and on the effects of barriers, cuttings and distance; and on vibration and shock effects near to the railway line itself.