London Underground is taking action to reduce the noise in tube tunnels by testing new rail track fastenings that should reduce the amount of track noise being heard inside the tube trains.
Normally, Transport for London (TfL) reduces track noise by grinding the tracks to restore the track profile. While the primary purpose of rail grinding on the Tube network is safety and operational reliability by managing rail defects, and maximising asset life, it is also used for the purpose of noise reduction. In recent years, track noise seems to have got worse, particularly on sections of the Jubilee, Victoria and Northern lines, and there’s been an increase in complaints to TfL about the problem.
Although rail grinding is the main way of reducing track noise, TfL is currently carrying out a trial of new track fastenings. They currently use Pandrol Vanguard track fastenings which are optimal for reducing the transmission of vibration and noise from the track to nearby buildings. There’s a downside though, in that they might increase noise inside train carriages. In an experiment, TfL has replaced them with alternative Delkor track fastenings between Baker Street and St John’s Wood on the Jubilee line. Initial results indicate that the Delkor track fastening will offer a similar benefit in terms of limiting residential noise levels while reducing in-carriage noise in comparison to Pandrol Vanguard fastenings.
The next planned site for installing Delkor fastenings is on the Northern line from Camden Town to Euston.
Also, in a written answer to a question by Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Mayor’s office revealed which sections of the London Underground have had their rails ground recently, and outlined which will get the same treatment by the end of the year.
Over the past six months, over 17,500 metres of rail track were ground by TfL maintenance staff. TfL also continues to carry out other targeted interventions to reduce noise, including removing redundant rail joints, maintaining points and crossings and re-ballasting track.