Rail Freight Noise Abatement in Europe A consensus building workshop for all relevant stakeholders Conclusions and next steps Luc Aliadière, UIC UIC, Paris

Rail Freight Noise Abatement in Europe A consensus building workshop for all relevant stakeholders UIC, Paris Conclusions: Context European transport policy –Sustainable transport: favours rail transport Environmentally sound rail transportation requires noise control Environmental Noise Directive –Noise maps 2006, Action plans 2007 A business case for the railways

Rail Freight Noise Abatement in Europe A consensus building workshop for all relevant stakeholders UIC, Paris Conclusions: State of the Art Technology for quiet rail vehicles available – K-blocks homologised – LL-blocks in operational tests Retrofitting has best cost-benefit ratio –Higher effectiveness than noise barriers –Overall costs can be determined – Operational experience favourable Railway noise less annoying than road traffic –Can be solved with rolling stock improvement

Rail Freight Noise Abatement in Europe A consensus building workshop for all relevant stakeholders UIC, Paris Conclusions: Funding/Financing Retrofitting requires initial investment Outside help necessary –EU: likely only for new member states –Subsidy by member states: requires State Aid guidelines Investment shift from infrastructure to rolling stock –Can reduce overall costs by factors

Rail Freight Noise Abatement in Europe A consensus building workshop for all relevant stakeholders UIC, Paris Next steps Member states, regions: –Clarify subsidies –Include retrofitting in action plans EU: –State Aid guidelines – Clarify funding possibilities UIC, Railways: –Technical optimisation –Organise network –Detailed costs per country by the end of the year

Rail Freight Noise Abatement in Europe A consensus building workshop for all relevant stakeholders UIC, Paris Next steps Next Workshops: - Autumn Autumn 2007 Assistance for local events or action plans: - Contact UIC if participation by UIC Action Programme members is beneficial

Rail Freight Noise Abatement in Europe A consensus building workshop for all relevant stakeholders Closing coffee & networking Thank you for your participation and have a safe trip home! UIC, Paris