Structure Borne Noise and vibration from rail infrastructures: A methodological proposal for the assessment of social impact

The main purpose of this paper is to present a methodological proposal for impact assessment on residential population (social impact) from Structure Borne Noise (SBN) and vibration originated by rail transport infrastructures. This proposal was developed within the project called SOFIA - Impact from Rail Structure Borne Noise. Social, Economical and Environmental Impact Methodology Assessment, and Alternative Solutions oriented to Sustainable Urban Development-, subsidize by the Education Science Office since 2004 up to 2007 [TRA 2004-06270/TREN]. This proposal is based upon a review of the state of the art in relation with low frequency noise effects. It is a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies whose three basic elements are: Interviews to rail transportation infrastructures managers, technical data cards to characterize railway scenarios and a questionnaire designed to evaluate social impact from structure borne noise and vibration originated by rail transport infrastructures in urban areas. The main conclusion of this study is the need to continue doing research in this area in order to validate the proposed methodology and to provide enough knowledge to define criteria against threshold exposure to structure borne noise and vibration so that quality life for citizens living near the railway infrastructures is guaranteed.