The horror of London Underground train noise

Noise on poorly maintained London tube lines is so intense that some drivers are going at slower speeds over certain sections to protect their hearing.

Commuters, of course, are exposed to very high levels of sound, and Franki Oliver, Audiology Manager at the Royal National Institute for Deaf people (RNID) was recently quoted by the BBC as explaining that the noise from these trains, which reaches close to 115 dB, could be “painful and damage the hearing for commuters”.

Quoted by journalist Tom Edwards in the report, Oliver added: “If you start to experience pain when you are exposed to a loud sound that you really should leave that area immediately, because it can be really dangerous.”

Aboard a Victoria line train, journalist Edwards measured the sound peaks at 112.3 decibels (dB), which is more than a music concert (110 dB), and climbing on the 120 dB level of a chainsaw.

The trade union ASLEF was quoted as claiming that tube noise levels are the worst they have ever been, and that lack of maintenance, in part due to low budgets for grinding rails to reduce friction, is mostly to blame. ASLEF has issued ear defenders to drivers, who are slowing down on certain track sections in order to reduce the stress on hearing.

TFL has affirmed that noise exposure for passengers is not at the level experienced by drivers. Plans are in place, says the London transport body, for longer term solutions.

Source: BBC