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European Union Commission Jan. 8 awarded Copenhagen, Denmark-based Ødegaard & Danneskiold-Samsøe (ODS) a contract to investigate current legislation regarding rail-vehicle noise emissions.


European companies, including STUVA, Cologne, Germany; ak usik-data, Berlin; psia-A-Consult, Vienna, Austria; Frama 01dB, Budapest, Hungary; and Politecnico Torino, Turin, Italy, would assist ODS in the study, which would cover European Union member states, Norway, Switzerland, and prospective members Hungary, Czech Republic and Poland.


As part of the study, titled "A Study of European Priorities and Strategies for Railway Noise Abatement," participants would review current European legislation and documentation of cases that have successfully employed technical measures to reduce railway noise. Participants also would study additional efforts and classify them as "good practice," "promising new technology" or "promising research results." And participants would develop for the commission a strategy for future noise abatement.


Members plan to study all types of rail vehicles, ranging from high-speed rail trains to light-rail vehicles (trams), as well as infrastructure including track, bridges, yards, depots and nearby buildings.


Participants expect to complete the study by late summer.