Propagation of vibrations due to a tramway line

Tramway traffic may produce vibrations propagating in soil leading to vibration annoyance for people living or working in neighbouring buildings. Thus vibration is an important parameter to be considered when planning new lines and dynamic performance evaluation of tramway tracks is necessary to validate or modify the existing means that reduce vibrations. This paper presents experimental and theoretical investigations of vibrations caused by tramway passages in Nantes, France. It focuses on the control of ground-borne vibrations for the whole system, taking into account important elements such as the dynamic vehicle characteristics, the track and the soil behaviour. A complete track-soil-ground model is proposed to predict ground-borne vibrations, so as to estimate a trouble gauge concerning - for example - the impact of a future tramway line