The REM and noise
As with any transportation system, the REM makes some noise and generates a certain amount of vibration when in operation. In order to limit the automated light rail system’s impact on local residents, these factors were studied and taken into account right from the infrastructure design stage. At the same time, mitigation measures have been incorporated into the project.
The three sections below explain our teams’ overall approach to the complex subject of noise in a project like the REM.
Noise 101
What is noise? How it is measured? That's what we explore in Noise 101.
Mitigation measures
What noise levels can we expect from REM traffic? What mitigation measures are planned? We answer your questions here.
From theory to practice
The entire REM project is governed by a decree set by the Quebec government. In this section, we outline the regulations related to noise.
Deux-Montagnes and Anse-à-l'Orme branches: where do we stand?
All efforts are now focused on the Deux-Montagnes and Anse-à-l’Orme branches, in preparation for their upcoming commissioning. Various elements, including noise, need to be validated before the entire network can be opened.
First car circulation between Saint-Eustache maintenance centre and Sainte-Dorothée station
Alongside work to finalize the infrastructure on which the REM will run (bridges, viaducts, embankments, etc.), several tests of the REM cars took place between the Saint-Eustache maintenance centre and Sainte-Dorothée station during the first months of 2024. The circulation was also an opportunity for our acousticians to collect the first “real” data on the noise emitted by the REM in this sector.
Dynamic testing between the Saint-Eustache maintenance centre and Sainte-Dorothée station
The dynamic testing phase will begin in the same area starting mid June 2024. Several types of operation will be simulated, including an increase in the number of cars and variable speeds, including dry runs matching the planned schedule for commissioning.
Prior to these tests, crews will be carrying out acoustic grinding of the track and finalizing the noise barriers on this segment.
Thanks to this phase, it will be possible to compare the results of the modelling carried out at the design stage of the project with the results of the measurements carried out in real time by the acousticians and their equipment. Depending on the results, additional mitigation measures could be added. We’ll be in touch with the local residents shortly with the results of our analysis.
What about the rest of the network?
The same sequence of car circulation tests and dynamic tests will progressively be applied to the rest of the sectors. However, the various noise analyses carried out in Deux-Montagnes and Laval will provide sufficient information for comparison with the modelling results for the other sectors. Noise measurement campaigns will still be carried out across all segments.