Noise control

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    Deutsche Bahn moves Germany. Every day.

    One railway. Reliable. For everyone.

    Infrastructure

    We operate a 33,400 kilometre-long network with 5,400 stations, which are used by 450 railway companies and 50,000 trains every day.

    Passenger transport

    Every day, more than five million people travel with Deutsche Bahn - in ICE and Intercity trains, in regional express trains or in regional and suburban trains.

    Logistics

    DB Cargo replaces around 80,000 lorry journeys across Europe each day, offering a climate-friendly alternative.

    The immediate action programmes for a better railway.

    More efficient, more reliable and determined to permanently and noticeably improve quality for passengers.

    The modernisation of the infrastructure takes time. We are implementing three immediate action programmes so that customers can see that things are improving at DB: for improved cleanliness and security at our stations. For greater comfort on long-distance services. For a better customer information. For these three programmes, we are investing a total of more than 140 million euros in DB in 2026 alone.  

    Even cleaner trains and ever more reliable service in our dining cars make train journeys even more comfortable and attractive. 

    Increased presence of security staff, additional cleaning and quick repairs at railway stations ensure that people enjoy their stay and get to their trains in comfort.  

    In future, DB will provide customers with even better information before and during their journey - both on the train, at the station and in digital information channels. 
    We intend to cut train noise in half by 2020 (based on 2000 values) to help create a quieter environment for residents living near rail lines: by implementing the noise abatement program and using whisper brakes on freight cars.

    Noise mitigation and pollution prevention continue

    Noise mitigation and pollution prevention in Germany201820172016  
    Noise mitigation 

    Sound barriers erected annually (km)

    45

    20

    		36

    Homes with passive measures

    (No. per year) 1)

    2,248

    1,634

    		1,495

    Total track with noise mitigation, km 1) 

    1,758

    1,701

    		1,598

    1) Values rounded

    The noise abatement program, cumulative.

    Since 1999, we have been voluntarily implementing the federal government's program on noise remediation of existing rail lines. On the 3,700-km-long lines identified as particularly affected in Germany, we are building sound barriers and equipping homes with soundproof windows, for example. Of that total, 2,000 km is scheduled to have noise remediation measures carried out by 2020.

    Low-noise freight cars

    The use of composite brake blocks (CBBs), which minimize abrasion on the wheel surface, can effectively reduce passing freight transport noise by about 10 dB(A), which the human ear perceives as a 50% reduction in noise. There are two different types of CBBs available for this purpose. We have been purchasing new freight cars with K blocks since 2001 and have been retrofitting our existing cars with LL blocks since 2013.

    		 
    Freight cars with CBBs in use in Germany as of Dec. 31
    Freight cars with CBBs in Germany 1) 

    2018

    2017

    2016

    Total new freight cars

    8,470

    8,323

    8,302

    Total retrofitted freight cars

    41,939

    31,281

    24,094

    Total low-noise freight cars

    50,409

    39,604

    32,396

    More information about noise control at DB is available on the noise control website at www.deutschebahn.com/laerm.