Determining the relevance of noise barriers along railway lines based on a multi-criteria analysis

Rail transport is one of the friendliest in environmental terms, but the noise generated by this mode of transport remains a weak point. To improve local residents' living conditions against this noise, two locations for protection devices are possible : close to the source, to be preferred in accordance with French legislation, within the limit of economical acceptability (not defined) or by façade insulation otherwise. A method has been developed to assess the relevance of noise barriers or merlons based on a cost-benefit analysis. A multi-criteria analysis is required, based on acoustic benefits provided by protection near to the source, building density, number of people protected, technical feasibility, costs directly linked to the construction conditions and landscape integration possibilities. The article details the method used during the preliminary study phase to determine the possible conditions for implementation, the associated costs and the impact of protection, and presents the analysis grids used to validate the choice of protection type, close to the source or on the facade.