Continuous Vibration Monitoring System in the Warsaw Metro as an Example of Reducing Emissions to the Environment

The launch of the first finish line in Warsaw was a great event that significantly alleviated the capital's traffic problems, but it also resulted in the emergence of new problems. One of them is the vibrations produced by passing trains in the tunnel next to residential buildings. The problem appeared "with some delay", after approximately two years of operation of the new Metropolis type wagons (previously only Russian - made wagons were used). The residents of Niepodległości street were the first to find out about it. There where after a series of articles in the local press there was a need to identify the cause of the troublesome vibrations. The basis for all assessments and analyzes of the impact of vibrations on buildings and people staying in them are vibration measurements carried out appropriately. Also, forecasts of such impacts and assessment of the environmental impacts of dynamic investments depend on the results obtained from vibration measurements carried out ad hoc in a given case or collected in measurement databases. Thus, the results of monitoring the impact of vibrations on the environment, the results of the above - mentioned assessments and analyzes are significantly dependent on the reliability of the results obtained from vibration measurements. Obtaining reliable measurement results requires the use of specialized equipment for measuring building vibrations in the low - frequency range, and those performing such measurements should have specialized knowledge and experience in performing vibration measurements in buildings. The aim of the research was to determine the impact of metro trains on buildings located in Warsaw at Niepodległości street together with an assessment of these impacts on buildings and especially people in buildings. In this publication, the author presented the results of his own research conducted over the years in the Warsaw metro, as well as the origins and selected results of the continuous vibration monitoring system implemented in the Warsaw metro.