The speed of the tube trains and the noise they make.
Request ID: FOI-1826-1819
Date published: 09 November 2018
You asked
Follow on from FOI-1690-1819/GH
Thank you very much for your reply. I’m pleased to see you are aware of this problem and are doing something about it. However, I don’t think you understand my question so I shall rephrase it.
You told me about averages for noise over a run. I don’t care so much about the average noise level but about the maximum level.
Could you please send me information about the maximum noise levels in this area, and how they reduce with a reduction in speed? At rush hour, the trains move more slowly and the noise is less. But outside rush hour, the noise inside the train is horrible. Today I travelled around 13.00 and it was very loud. A group of school children covered their ears. So did I.
I appreciate that you move a lot of people. But I expect the majority of us would prefer to spend 1-2 more minutes on our journey and not to suffer the loud bursts of noise that cause physical pain in my ears. Why do you want to run the nearly empty trains so fast outside of rush hour? Why not run them at the rush hour speed and have less noise? It would be cheaper for you, too, I expect.
We answered
TfL Ref: 1826-1819
Thank you for your email received by us on 10 October 2018 asking for information about the noise levels of Jubilee line London Underground trains around Bond Street and Baker Street stations, following your previous request for information (reference:1690-1819).
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked:
Could you please send me information about the maximum noise levels in this area, and how they reduce with a reduction in speed? At rush hour, the trains move more slowly and the noise is less. But outside rush hour, the noise inside the train is horrible.
Why do you want to run the nearly empty trains so fast outside of rush hour? Why not run them at the rush hour speed and have less noise
I can advise that the last set of noise measurements taken in the operator’s cab on the 2 October 2018 measured in decibles (dB) showed that the maximum noise levels between Bond Street to Baker Street stations were 92dB(A) for a period of up to ten seconds, although it did reach 102dB(A) for a split second during that period.
Whilst we run a high frequency train service throughout the day, Jubilee line trains are automatically operated and therefore follow a set speed, although this can depend on the volume of traffic on the line.
As mentioned in our previous response (reference:1690-1819), the high pitch noise experienced on certain sections of the London Underground network is due to the installation of resilient track fastenings. These fastenings reduce the groundborne vibration suffered by residents who live close to the tube tunnel, but they have also led to an increase in in-tunnel noise. We are working proactively to reduce this in-tunnel noise, and will be installing addition under-rail pads at high noise sites (including nearby Baker Street and Bond Street) from December 2018.
Regarding the relationship between speed and noise, a reduction in speed generally leads to a reduction in noise. Reducing the kinetic energy in turn reduces the vibrational energy, and therefore sound. However, slower trains means the time passengers are exposed to noise is longer.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Jasmine Howard
FOI Case Officer
Information Governance
Transport For London
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