photo: Ivanowitsch/Wikiwand/Noise Abatement Day: EUR 150 million of Investment from DB and the Federal Government in 2021
Deutsche Bahn (DB) announced that in 2021, together with the federal government, it has invested about EUR 150 million in a noise abatement program that has relieved 32,800 people from railway noise on 71 kilometers of track.
About 3,250 kilometers of track are planned to be free of rail noise by 2030 and 6,500 kilometers by 2050. It means that all 1.6 million affected residents will receive noise protection.
Andreas Gehlhaar, DB Noise Protection Officer: "We are making our trains quieter and consistently driving noise protection forward. Our common goal: By 2030, more than 800,000 people living near rail lines in Germany will live and sleep more quietly."
Michael Theurer, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Digital Affairs and Transport: "To achieve our climate protection goals in transport, we urgently need to expand and upgrade the rail network. Rapid expansion can only succeed with the necessary acceptance of residents. That's why noise protection along the rail network is a top priority for the German government."
Since 1999, a total of about EUR 1.7 billion has been invested in noise reduction on about 2,100 kilometers of tracks, thanks to a voluntary program of the federal government. This money has also been used to equip tens of thousands of homes with passive noise protection, such as special windows.
After DB Cargo's entire active freight car fleet in Germany began operating on silent soles from the end of 2020, the DB Cargo's mainline electric locomotives' braking systems will be upgraded by 2025. The company will also phase out all diesel 232/233 class locomotives by 2030. And DB Fernverkehr will replace all diesel shunting locomotives with quiet and climate-friendly hybrid models by 2025.