Southern Sydney Freight Line

Controlling noise and vibration on a suburban freight route

A proposed 28-kilometre-long dedicated freight line through the suburbs of Sydney, Australia, involved the prediction, assessment, and control of noise and vibration associated with the route. We developed a major rail noise prediction model and predicted noise levels at all adjacent noise-sensitive locations. Since the line between Chullora and Macarthur passes over several bridges, our work also involved the analysis of bridge vibration and radiated structural noise to predict noise levels in the area with a high degree of accuracy. At many locations along the route, we proposed the installation of rail side noise barriers. We continue to conduct assessment and monitoring work for the project’s construction phase.