Environmental assessments of rail projects - The noise factor

Abstract

Various aspect of the noise pollution caused by locomotives are discussed. As per the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA), a responsible authority must identify all potential adverse effects of the construction and operation of a proposed project and determine whether those effects are significant. Rail crossing and the construction and operation of new railway lines are the two main types of rail infrastructure projects under the Act. It is suggested to consider the source type, location of the source relative to the receiver, time of the day, and the noise level of the receiver while examining the effects of the rail noise.