TransLink looking at ways to reduce SkyTrain noise
Posted October 10, 2018 6:11 am.
Last Updated October 10, 2018 10:01 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – If you live along a SkyTrain corridor, you know it can be loud. TransLink is now looking at doing something about all that noise.
A study for the transit authority suggests it’s as loud as 90 decibels in some stretches, including the one between VCC-Clark and Commercial stations. That’s about as loud as a large commercial airliner preparing to land.
The World Health Organization says the maximum level should be closer to 75 decibels.
A report to TransLink’s board of directors includes a map with an example of how loud the SkyTrain can be. (Source: translink.ca)
“This noise is predominantly caused by the rolling contact of steel wheels of the train on the steel rails (wheel/rail rolling noise),” reads a report that recently went to TransLink’s board of directors.
It says the main contributing factors to the high noise levels are train speed, the proximity and elevation of nearby homes, and the condition of the track. The latter, the report says, is the factor they have the most control over.
“Rail roughness, corrugation, track defects and/or worn switches result in noise levels that can be upwards of 15dB greater than corresponding locations with track and/or switches in good condition.”
The report says “between 2014 and 2017, TransLink received an increased number of noise complaints from residents adjacent to the SkyTrain network.”
The transportation authority is looking at six measures, which could help reduce the noise and give them more time before maintenance is required:
- Improve switch maintenance practices
- Improve rail grinding practices
- Install rail dampers
- Re-introduce top-of-rail friction modifiers
- Investigate head-hardened rail in place of current rail standard
- Develop guidelines for new residential developments near SkyTrain
