Tackling railway vibrations? Absolutely – preferably in an early stage and with a future focused approach

Interview with Jasper Peen, Principal Consultant – Vibrations, Ricardo  

Rail systems keep densely populated urban areas accessible. At the same time, these very environments present a challenge: noise and vibration nuisance, experienced by people living alongside railway lines. Addressing this issue continues to require sustained attention. Ideally, this is done at the earliest possible stage of planning, when there is still sufficient scope to implement effective mitigation measures.

Jasper Peen explains: “My message is therefore clear: investing in the reduction of noise and vibrations pays off. Try to take account of environmental constraints from the surrounding area as early as possible in a new investment in rolling stock or infrastructure, and make sure to look ahead to the future. After all, trains, trams and metro systems are expected to remain in service for many years. This not only makes rail transport more sustainable, but also more pleasant for the surrounding environment.”  

Programme for source based mitigation

In November 2025, the Dutch rail infrastructure manager ProRail presented the final outcomes of the Innovation Agenda for Tackling Railway Vibration at the Source (IBS). The programme, which started in 2021, aims to build a greater understanding of how railway vibrations arise and to test measures for reducing vibration related nuisance.

The programme included extensive full scale field trials, focusing on maintenance and innovations in both rolling stock and infrastructure. Together with his colleagues at Ricardo Rail, Jasper Peen investigated the impact of rolling stock characteristics on vibration generation. The final report (English) is available here: Innovation Agenda Source-Based Approach to Railway Vibrations (IBS). The Ricardo report (English) is published here.

Jasper elaborates: “We focused in particular on the role of wheel out of roundness and investigated whether alternative wheel maintenance strategies could help reduce vibration issues. We designed and coordinated a field trial to assess whether additional wheel maintenance measures on freight wagons could reduce vibration nuisance. This involved extensive measurements on freight trains and analysis of the relationship between wheel maintenance and vibration levels. We also examined the cost implications, providing clearer insight into both the costs and the benefits.”

Rolling stock characteristics and vibration performance

“Within the programme, we also looked at how rolling stock characteristics influence vibration behaviour. This includes factors such as unsprung mass, bogie dynamic properties, and wheel roundness. Why does one train generate more vibration than another? We developed concepts aimed at reducing vibrations, for example through design modifications to bogies. At this moment, we are working on a test train to further investigate these concepts.”

What were the key outcomes of the programme?

Jasper explains: “For wheel maintenance, we modelled a range of scenarios — from minimal to more extensive intervention strategies. This allows policymakers to make informed decisions by weighing up costs and benefits. For innovations, the programme primarily generated knowledge, which we intend to link to cost–benefit analyses at a later stage. As such, the programme provides an important foundation for future decision making.”

Are these insights relevant internationally?

“Absolutely,” Jasper says. “Vibration nuisance is a global issue, for example, along metro lines in major cities worldwide. Of course, each situation is different, but our knowledge of dynamic loading and multi body simulation models is broadly applicable. These tools allow us to predict how changes to rolling stock design and maintenance influence vibration levels. We have already shared insights that proved useful in Malaysia, where wheel maintenance was also a concern.”

How does multi body simulation work?

Jasper explains: “Multi body simulation is a modelling method in which a train is represented as a system of masses, springs and dampers. The model calculates wheel–rail contact forces, the effects of wheel out of roundness and track irregularities, as well as the impact of design variations, such as lighter bogies. This allows us to assess in advance which measures are likely to have the greatest effect.”

What can be done with the research results?

“The results provide a solid basis for policy decisions and further technical measures. Around the world, there is increasing pressure to find effective solutions, driven by urban densification and more stringent environmental requirements. Investing in reducing noise and vibration genuinely delivers value. In my view, this is a shared responsibility — one that involves governments, operators, infrastructure managers, manufacturers and suppliers alike.”

More information? Any questions or suggestions?

• Please contact Jasper.Peen@ricardo.com for more information.
• See also Jasper Peen Profile.