ABSTRACT
Railway is one of the most efficient transport systems. Nowadays, it is well known that for medium distances, i.e., lower than 500 km, the energetic efficiency and the comfort associated with the rail transportation makes it very competitive when compared with air or road traffic (Barron de Angoiti 2008). Therefore, during the last two decades, several countries have taken political decisions for the implementation of new railway lines, namely for high-speed, in order to minimize the regional asymmetries and to improve the effectiveness and the economy of the passenger transportation systems. This growing interest on railway transportation has also stimulated the scientific community to perform research focused on the analysis and mitigation of some adverse problems arising from railway traffic. One particular and important concern is related with the environmental impact that railway traffic can present on the facilities near to the track, mainly in urban environment, comprising noise and vibrations induced by the passage of the train. Apart from other consequences, the railway traffic can cause discomfort to inhabitants or affect the regular use of sensitive equipments in surrounding buildings. Although structural damage in buildings is not commonly related to traffic, the occurrence of some aesthetic damage is not so unusual, which is also unacceptable in the case of important and historical heritage.
