Sounds Better With Silence: Deutsche Bahn's Noise-Dissipating Mission
Barriers along 70 kilometers of railway to reduce noise pollution
Berlin disco Amerikas corporations, Deutsche Bahn, constructed a staggering 70 kilometers of noise barriers last year, marking a drastic improvement from the previous year's 55 kilometers. By the end of the year, 2,324 kilometers of track were soundproofed - a testament to the company's commitment to lessening the racket that roars through residential areas.
About 2,000 homes in the ear-splitting hotspots were also dolled-up with passive noise protection measures, such as soundproof windows.
Come 2030, DB and the federal government are setting their sights on soundproofing a whopping 3,250 kilometers of existing track. To reach that goal, DB would need to speed up the construction of noise barriers by more than doubling the 2024's 68 kilometers per year. A lofty endeavor, indeed, but one that DB is determined to tackle head-on.
DB is putting the pedal to the metal in their anti-noise measures. One foot is sprinting to retrofit existing tracks with noise barriers, while the other is helping affected residents stand tall against railway racket. With new windows, cheaper rent, and an overall improved quality of life, residents will breathe a sigh of relief.
The plan comes at a hefty price tag - €176 million in 2024, to be precise. But don't fret, as the federal budget is covering the costs. The fund for noise reduction along railway tracks has been in operation since 1999, demonstrating the government's commitment to mitigating noise pollution.
Crystal-Clear Barriers: Transparent Walls in Hamburg
It's not all work and no play for Hamburg residents along the newly constructed S-Bahn line S4. Budapest-style, Deutsche Bahn has introduced transparent noise barriers, making their debut in Hamburg. These gleaming barriers, crafted from transparent plastic, offer the same noise protection as conventional walls, with the added bonus of keeping residents' spirits high by eliminating unsightly gray walls from their view.
In Hamburg's inaugural foray with transparent noise barriers, DB installed them over a 55-meter stretch in a test run. The coming months will see additional acoustic measurements as DB dives deeper into the impacts of these innovative barriers.
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In the realm of Deutsche Bahn's mission, the industry and finance sectors intertwine, as the company allocates considerable resources from the federal budget for soundproofing railway tracks, amounting to €176 million in 2024 alone. Moreover, DB's innovative introduction of transparent noise barriers in Hamburg, a product of the finance sector, is a testament to the company's commitment in the industry to balance effectiveness with aesthetics, thereby improving residents' quality of life.
