BUSINESS PROFILE |
109
Keeping the rail industry on track with remote environmental noise monitoring Since the pandemic, people’s sensitivity to noise has increased. This is due to the rise in home working and the impact Covid has had on people’s general mental health
M
anaging noise levels has always been an issue for those operating in the rail industry, but train operators and railway businesses now face the risk of an increase in the number of people raising noiserelated complaints. The challenge is to find more efficient and effective ways to manage, control and, where possible, reduce the impact railway noise has on local communities and the environment. Protecting people’s health and well-being and avoiding reputational damage are essential. According to the World Health Organisation, noise is the second biggest environmental cause of health problems. Research shows a direct link between excessive noise exposure and conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, sleep disturbance, stress, anxiety, and depression. Therefore, it is incumbent on all businesses operating within the rail industry to take noise measurement, management, and control seriously. Not only to protect the health and well-being of those living near the railway but also their organisations’ reputations. Finding the right equipment for the challenge Meeting the challenge isn’t easy. It involves knowing how to manage noise itself as well as finding the right equipment. Organisations need equipment that can be installed for long periods in difficultto-access areas and relied on to provide comprehensive and reliable data. They need Rail Professional
