Estimation and Control of Ground Vibrations from Trains on Concrete Elevated Structures

Concrete elevated structures currently make-up approximately 48 km (30 route miles) of all newer U.S. urban rail transit systems. The proposed Metropolitan Dade County (Miami) Rapid Transit System will include an additional 32 km (20 miles) of concrete elevated guideway, passing near potentially vibration sensitive areas such as residences, hospitals and research buildings. The estimation and control of ground vibration from the proposed Dade County system elevated structures are based on measurements conducted at the Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) rail transit system in Camden County, New Jersey. David A. Towers, member INCE, estimated future ground vibrations by adjusting the PATCO measurement results for small differences in system-specific parameters. The results provide a basis for the evaluation of practical vibration control design alternatives.