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Brussels, |
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Rail Environment
MOBILITY & TRANSPORT
The Challenge of Rail Noise
Rail noise is a significant environmental issue, especially for freight transport. It primarily stems from the roughness of wheels and tracks, and from the type of braking systems used. The most effective solutions involve both upgrading brake technology (e.g. using composite brake blocks) and performing acoustic grinding on rail tracks.
National-level restrictions on noisy wagons can undermine the competitiveness of rail transport if not coordinated EU-wide. Therefore, the European Commission promotes a harmonised approach through legislation and technical specifications.
Rail noise is a significant environmental issue, especially for freight transport. It primarily stems from the roughness of wheels and tracks, and from the type of braking systems used. The most effective solutions involve both upgrading brake technology (e.g. using composite brake blocks) and performing acoustic grinding on rail tracks.
National-level restrictions on noisy wagons can undermine the competitiveness of rail transport if not coordinated EU-wide. Therefore, the European Commission promotes a harmonised approach through legislation and technical specifications.
EU Measures and Legislation
Since 2006, newly built rail wagons must meet specific noise emission standards introduced under the Railway Interoperability Directive. These are implemented through the Technical Specification for Interoperability (TSI) on noise, currently governed by Commission Regulation (EU) No 1304/2014.
The noise issue is also addressed in the Railway Interoperability Directive 2008/57/EC and in Directive 2012/34/EU, which sets out the framework for the single European railway area.
Due to the long lifespan of freight wagons (up to 40 years) and slow renewal rates, full fleet replacement could take until at least 2030—unless older wagons are retrofitted with quieter brake technology.
Incentives and Funding
To accelerate the transition, the European Commission adopted a Communication on rail noise abatement in 2008, proposing economic incentives through noise-differentiated track access charges (NDTAC). This system encourages operators to retrofit wagons by offering lower access fees for quieter equipment.
This policy was supported by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/429, which sets out how noise-related charges should be applied. The regulation aims to harmonise approaches across Member States and increase uptake of retrofitting.
Evaluations of this regulation are available in the Commission Staff Working Document (2021) and its Executive Summary.
Co-funding via the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)
The high cost of retrofitting—estimated at €1,688 per wagon—has slowed progress. To address this, the EU offers co-funding of up to 20% of eligible retrofitting costs through the Connecting Europe Facility (Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013).
Funding is distributed via calls for proposals, starting in 2014, with further rounds planned through 2020. This support aims to help railway undertakings upgrade fleets without losing competitiveness.
Additional Resources and Reports
Since 2006, newly built rail wagons must meet specific noise emission standards introduced under the Railway Interoperability Directive. These are implemented through the Technical Specification for Interoperability (TSI) on noise, currently governed by Commission Regulation (EU) No 1304/2014.
The noise issue is also addressed in the Railway Interoperability Directive 2008/57/EC and in Directive 2012/34/EU, which sets out the framework for the single European railway area.
Due to the long lifespan of freight wagons (up to 40 years) and slow renewal rates, full fleet replacement could take until at least 2030—unless older wagons are retrofitted with quieter brake technology.
Incentives and Funding
To accelerate the transition, the European Commission adopted a Communication on rail noise abatement in 2008, proposing economic incentives through noise-differentiated track access charges (NDTAC). This system encourages operators to retrofit wagons by offering lower access fees for quieter equipment.
This policy was supported by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/429, which sets out how noise-related charges should be applied. The regulation aims to harmonise approaches across Member States and increase uptake of retrofitting.
Evaluations of this regulation are available in the Commission Staff Working Document (2021) and its Executive Summary.
Co-funding via the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)
The high cost of retrofitting—estimated at €1,688 per wagon—has slowed progress. To address this, the EU offers co-funding of up to 20% of eligible retrofitting costs through the Connecting Europe Facility (Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013).
Funding is distributed via calls for proposals, starting in 2014, with further rounds planned through 2020. This support aims to help railway undertakings upgrade fleets without losing competitiveness.
Additional Resources and Reports
