Norton Introduces Bill to Combat Train Noise and Vibrations Near Homes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, today introduced a bill to require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to submit recommendations to Congress on how to reduce train noise and vibrations near homes, as well as cost estimates for each recommendation. Train noise and vibrations negatively affect residents of the District of Columbia and of communities across the country.

"District of Columbia residents are increasingly contacting me about the negative impact train noise and vibrations are having on their health, quality of life, and the structural integrity of their homes," Norton said. "While trains are a critical mode of transportation, Congress needs to examine whether there are cost-effective solutions to mitigating the harms of train noise and vibrations."

In making its recommendations, the bill would require DOT to consider train speed and frequency, hours of operations, modifications to tracks and trains, track maintenance, mitigation measures between tracks and homes, and distance between tracks and homes, among other factors. The bill would require the department to submit its recommendations to Congress not later than one year after enactment of the bill.

Last year, Norton held a community meeting in Deanwood to discuss residents' concerns about train noise and vibrations.

Norton’s introductory statement follows.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

on the Introduction of the Train Noise and Vibrations Reduction Act

April 24, 2023

Today, I introduce the Train Noise and Vibrations Reduction Act,whichwould direct the Secretary of Transportation to submit a report to Congress containing recommendations on how to reduce train noise and vibrations near homes, as well as estimates of the costs and benefits of each recommendation.  Such recommendations would include modifications to trains, tracks and maintenance procedures, speed limits for trains, mitigation measures between tracks and homes, the distance between tracks and homes, limitations on the number of trains and the number of cars on trains, limitations on hours of operations, building insulation and modifications to soil conditions.  The report would be due to Congress no later than one year after the enactment of the bill.

The Noise Control Act of 1972 created the Office of Noise Abatement and Control within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), granting EPA authority and oversight over broad noise control regulations.  However, years of defunding left this office without any resources to conduct enforcement, forcing EPA to phase out the office in 1982.  I hear from District of Columbia residents frequently about the negative impact of train noise and vibrations on their lives.  The noise and vibrations can harm health and quality of life, and can even harm the structural integrity of homes.  Congress and the executive branch must do more to reduce the harm nationwide. 

As a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I have been committed to reducing transportation noise pollution.  I have convened community meetings with the Federal Railroad Administration, the District of Columbia Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration to examine how to reduce train noise and vibrations.  A report on reducing train noise and vibrations can help us identify viable, long-term solutions for communities.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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