Policies (S3-1)

The transport of goods and people by rail causes noise emissions that can be perceived as disturbing by residents living near the tracks. This can cause health problems for people (e.g. disrupted sleep). In order to reduce noise and thus increase acceptance of rail traffic, DB Group and the Federal Government have set themselves the goal of relieving residents affected by rail traffic noise. Our strategic direction in the area of noise reduction was determined by the Management Board in a resolution paper containing, among other things, targets, measures and key performance indicators.

We implement our targets and other requirements and laws on noise reduction in Germany via policies and work instructions, among other things. These are available to employees in our Group regulations database. Our noise reduction targets are tracked using metrics, which are anchored in planning and monitored on an ongoing basis. The Group Sustainability and Environment function has central responsibility for the strategic management of implementation. Operational implementation is the responsibility of the business units.

Noise remediation program of the Federal Government

The central element of our noise reduction strategy is the noise remediation program of the Federal Government. Since 1999, when the voluntary noise remediation program for existing Federal rail lines was launched, we have been working with the Federal Government to modernize our highly utilized existing rail tracks. The Federal Government also assumes the role of representative for affected communities. The basis for the noise remediation program is the Federal Government’s overall noise remediation concept, in which the sections of track to be remediated in accordance with the Noise Remediation Funding Directive are listed according to the degree of need for remediation. Sections of track are considered to be exposed to noise if the threshold value is exceeded according to the emissions protection assessment in the noise expert assessment. They are considered to be noise remediated if, after the implementation of active and/or passive measures, the noise level falls below the threshold value.