Measures for noise reduction
Advances in freight car conversion
At the end of June 2019, more than 54,000 of the approximately 63,000 cars of DB Cargo Germany’s active fleet were operating with reduced noise. By the end of 2020, the active rolling stock in Germany will be completely quiet. In this way, we ensure that it becomes quiet at the source.
Further expansion of the noise reduction program
In January 2019, the new overall concept of the noise reduction program was published, and the amended funding guidelines came into force. The result is better noise protection for more residents. The total lines to be upgraded will increase from 3,700 to about 6,500 kilometers. In the future, noise barriers in special areas can be made more complex. At the same time, residential buildings up to January 1, 2015 will be considered from January 1, 2019. The previous cut-off date regulation, which stated that only housing development before 1974 or 1990 was to be considered, has now been repealed.
Innovative freight cars successfully tested
In April 2019 the consortium DB Cargo/VTG presented to the BMVI the results of the research project Construction and Testing of Innovative Freight Cars. All project goals have been achieved – the project is complete. The project demonstrated that innovations in freight cars and their components can increase profitability and improve the environmental balance. Four types of vehicle have been developed for operational use, and various technologies (including the digital automatic coupler) have been tested at DB Cargo. DB Cargo has already invested in two types of vehicles since then. On the basis of the successful pilot, we will acquire more than 300 of these freight cars by the end of 2020. The first cars have already been delivered and are being used in customer transport.
Measuring stations in the Middle Rhine Valley provide transparency
Since December 2014, DB Group has operated two measuring stations in the Middle Rhine Valley, one in Osterspai and the other in Bad Salzig. In April 2019, about 30% of trains operating in the Middle Rhine Valley were using quiet cars. The proportion of quiet trains has almost doubled in the Middle Rhine Valley since 2015.