Train Noise and Vibrations Reduction Act of 2025
The Train Noise and Vibrations Reduction Act of 2025 would require the Comptroller General of the United States (the head of the GAO) to develop and submit to Congress, within one year of enactment, a report with recommendations to reduce train noise and vibrations near homes. The report must include cost and benefit estimates for each recommendation. The recommendations cover a broad range of potential actions, including changes to trains and tracks, maintenance procedures, train speeds, mitigation measures between tracks and residences, setbacks between tracks and homes, limits on trains or cars, limits on operating hours, building noise insulation, and modifications to soil conditions. In short, the bill asks GAO to study and propose policy options to lessen rail-related noise and vibrations, with a clear evaluation of costs and benefits, for congressional consideration.
Key Points
- 1The Comptroller General must develop and submit a report to Congress within 1 year after enactment detailing recommendations to reduce train noise and vibrations near homes, plus cost-benefit estimates for each recommendation.
- 2Recommendations must cover a wide set of options, including:
- 3- Modifications to trains and tracks
- 4- Modifications to train and track maintenance procedures
- 5- Speed limits for trains
- 6- Mitigation measures between tracks and homes
- 7- Minimum distances between tracks and homes
- 8- Limits on the number of trains
- 9- Limits on the number of cars on trains
- 10- Limits on hours of operation
- 11- Building noise insulation
- 12- Modifications to soil conditions
- 13The act is a reporting/studies mandate rather than an immediate regulatory requirement; it does not itself impose new rules but seeks to inform potential future policy decisions by Congress.