FOI request detail

Noise exposure levels on Victoria Line

Request ID: FOI-2556-1819
Date published: 30 January 2019

You asked

Please provide (1) the results of the most recent independent survey of levels of noise exposure to passengers using the Victoria Line (2) any advice received as to the safe levels of exposure of noise for passengers (3) a statement of TfL's strategy for reducing noise exposure to passengers

We answered

TfL Ref: 2556-1819

Thank you for your email received by us on 1 January 2019 asking for information about noise levels on London Underground’s Victoria line.

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:

1) the results of the most recent independent survey of levels of noise exposure to passengers using the Victoria Line

Across the network we have installed resilient track fastenings and the meterage measurements provided in the table below refer to these specific locations. The noise level readings recorded in decibels (dB) in the last two columns are specific to these sections of track:

Victoria Line Average Noise on Line - Average Noise in Seconds LCpeak in Section
Station From Station To Direction Start Meterage (metres) End Meterage (metres)  Passenger   Passenger
      Sep-18   Sep-18
Stockwell Vauxhall NB 1320 1500  97.2 dB(A)   114.9 dB(C)
Pimlico Victoria NB 110 655  92.5 dB(A)   109.1 dB(C)
Oxford Circus Warren Street NB 390 640  108.3 dB(A)   123.7 dB(C)
Euston King's Cross NB 100 210  90.2 dB(A)   110.3 dB(C)
King's Cross Euston SB 390 490  101.6 dB(A)   117.6 dB(C)
Vauxhall Stockwell SB 110 330  104 dB(A)   112.6 dB(C)

2) any advice received as to the safe levels of exposure of noise for passengers

Sound pressure can become dangerous to customers and staff at peaks of 135dB(C). The peak levels on Transport for London’s (TfL) network are below this, with a maximum level of approximately 120dB.

Daily exposure, which equates to average noise in excess of eight hours of over 80dB(A) contravenes Noise at Work regulations. We can advise that passengers do not experience this level of noise exposure as journeys times are limited and noise peaks do not last for long periods.

3) a statement of TfL's strategy for reducing noise exposure to passengers

We are currently installing softer pads throughout our resilient track fastening sites to reduce the airborne noise experienced by passengers. Our loudest sites have already been completed and we are currently measuring the reduction in noise. Additionally, TfL is also trialling other rail damping technology and a recent installation has been carried out on the Jubilee line. We aim to have reduced the airborne noise in tunnels by the end of 2019.

Tackling residential, operational staff and travelling customer noise complaints is ongoing – whilst we are aware of all the noise hotspots, we are limited with the works that can be done to address noise. We continuously take noise readings and review the track condition to assess what works can be done to reduce noise. There are various engineering initiatives which we are trialling/aim to trial in an attempt to reduce noise. For example, a new product called SilentTrack was installed on the westbound track between North Greenwich and Canary Wharf in January 2019. We are currently monitoring to assess the impact of this on noise and the growth rate of rail defects. Of course, if deemed successful, we can review the option of installing on other sites.

In the meantime, customers and residents affected by noise can advise us of their concerns by calling our 24 hour Customer Contact Centre on 0343 222 1234 where lines are open seven days a week, or register their complaints via the following link to our website: https://tfl.gov.uk/help-and-contact/

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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