Noise and Vibration Management
- Projects & Programs
- Noise and Vibration Management
Here's what to expect
Building new transit lines involves construction techniques and heavy-duty machines that create noise and vibrations. While we are focussed on bringing faster transit closer to more people in our growing region, we recognize that noise and vibration can impact daily life for those living and working near construction sites.
Metrolinx takes steps to assess and monitor the impact of construction-related noise and vibration in communities where we’re building new transit, and we work to reduce these impacts whenever possible.
Before work begins, our teams carefully map out plans to manage construction noise and vibration.
Our approach to managing noise and vibration is based on a mixture of requirements and guidance from multiple authorities, including the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, and the US Federal Transit and Federal Highway Administrations.
We also listen closely to community feedback and look at ways we can address concerns about construction noise and vibration throughout the delivery of our transit projects.
The information below provides an overview of how we predict noise and vibration impacts during transit construction, and how we monitor and control these effects to reduce disruption for communities.
Pre-construction assessments and planning
Our goal is always to address potential issues before they happen.
Before work begins on any project, we predict noise and vibration levels through detailed assessments and modelling. We look at factors like the layout of the construction site, the area’s natural features, expected work hours, and the types of equipment that will be used. This modelling helps us predict noise and vibration levels during construction. We use the results to develop comprehensive construction noise and vibration management plans to monitor and manage noise and vibration throughout a project, including site-specific approaches that consider the unique conditions in each area.
When creating these plans, we carefully assess factors like the nature of the area around a future construction site – whether it’s a residential neighbourhood, a busy commercial district, an industrial zone, or a mix of these types. We also consider existing environmental noise and vibration levels, the types of buildings nearby, and what levels of noise and vibration are predicted to be during construction. The predicted levels are compared to the specific criteria we set for noise and vibration levels during construction.
Controlling noise and vibration impacts is part of how we plan and manage every construction site.
Noise criteria can vary depending on the project and consider factors like the type of area where work is taking place, the time of day, and whether construction will happen on weekdays, weekends or holidays. Higher noise levels are more acceptable during the day, when communities are generally more active and less affected by noise. Lower noise levels are sought at night when quieter conditions are necessary for residential areas.
Vibration criteria Metrolinx follows vary depending on the type of building or structure and the frequency of vibration. For example, historic landmarks or laboratories with sensitive equipment may require lower vibration levels compared to buildings that aren’t as vibration-sensitive. During tunnelling, we follow additional vibration criteria to reduce community impacts where possible.
Understanding baseline noise and vibration levels
The baseline refers to the existing environmental noise or vibration levels before any construction begins. It represents the typical background noise or vibration that a community experiences without construction activities. As part of pre-construction assessments, Metrolinx determines baseline levels of noise and vibration.
Understanding baseline conditions ensures that construction noise and vibration management plans can be tailored to specific sites, taking into account the normal conditions that residents and businesses are used to.
This approach helps us reduce disruptions during construction while acknowledging that some areas, like busy commercial districts, may naturally have higher baseline noise levels, while quieter residential areas may need stricter controls.
How close an area is to major roads, highways, or existing rail lines may influence its baseline noise levels.
To calculate the baseline, we measure existing noise and vibration levels before work on a project begins. The baseline typically reflects noise levels at different times of day and night, as well as on weekdays and weekends to account for variations in activity.
Reducing noise and vibration levels
Where possible, Metrolinx can introduce a range of proven solutions to better control noise exposure if noise levels are expected to increase significantly during construction. These may include, but are not limited to, the following measures:
- scheduling noisier activities during less sensitive times;
- repositioning equipment;
- using quieter equipment or placing a cover or housing around machinery to dampen noise;
- modifying construction techniques to lower noise impacts; and
- installing temporary noise barriers around work zones, where it is safe and practical to do so.
Some solutions, like repositioning equipment or modifying construction techniques, can also help lower vibration levels. Choosing equipment that produces lower vibration levels is another effective way to minimize vibration impacts.
Excavation is carefully planned and monitored to control noise and vibration impacts.
Mindful work schedules
We carefully plan when construction activities take place to consider community needs, neighbourhood events, and other major projects.
We strive to schedule louder tasks during less sensitive times — usually daytime hours during weekdays — to reduce disruption when people are more likely to be at home resting, such as in the early mornings, late evenings, or overnight. For work that must take place overnight or on the weekends — for example, when we need to make upgrades to an active rail corridor while it’s not in service — we work with communities on a case-by-case basis to introduce tailored supports that lessen the impacts.
Protecting buildings and spaces
Metrolinx pays special attention to historical buildings, homes, hospitals, and other sensitive structures located near our work sites and we take extra care to make sure they are safeguarded from vibrations.
As construction moves forward, we keep a close eye on vibration levels at sensitive structures. If necessary, we adjust our construction methods or install additional vibration control measures to protect them.
Before and after major construction work, Metrolinx will request the permission of property owners along the route of a new transit line to thoroughly assess and document the condition of the interior and exterior of homes and buildings that may be impacted by construction vibration, at no cost to the owner.
Metrolinx takes an extra cautious approach to tunnelling.
Monitoring noise and vibration during construction
Managing noise and vibration goes beyond pre-construction assessments and modelling. We monitor noise and vibration continuously throughout construction, which allows us to make timely adjustments when needed to reduce impacts.
We focus noise and vibration monitoring in areas where our pre-construction noise assessments predict that we may exceed the noise and vibration criteria. We place monitoring equipment at strategic locations around our construction sites to make sure we accurately track noise and vibration where it matters most.
We monitor noise and vibration closely during construction and take steps to reduce impacts when needed.
Noise monitors are typically installed at the most sensitive locations, such as residential homes, schools, hospitals or other buildings closest to construction sites. These monitors collect data that allows us to measure both short bursts of loud noise and sustained levels of background noise.
Piling work at the site of the future Moss Park Station along the Ontario Line.
Similarly, vibration monitors are strategically positioned at locations within and around work sites. These locations often include areas near the foundation of buildings or vibration-sensitive utilities. In some cases, the monitors are installed inside existing buildings.
Supporting communities through construction
Metrolinx is delivering the largest transit expansion in Canadian history to improve the lives of residents, get people where they need to go faster and provide better access to jobs, services, and opportunities.
We recognize that construction of this magnitude is disruptive, and we work closely with residents and our contractors to reduce the impacts wherever possible. To assess the needs of those impacted, we have a compassionate team of community engagement specialists who work closely with community members to identify ways we can support them.
We work closely with our contractors to reduce impacts to communities where possible during construction.
Supports range on a case-by-case basis and are determined based on the project and the type of construction work underway. In the past, these have included project site improvements, such as working with our contractors to sequence noisier activities during the day and using less disruptive equipment. To protect the privacy of individuals, these agreements are confidential.
We are committed to working closely with community members and businesses as we manage impacts during construction and beyond.
Get in touch
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work together to create a faster, more connected transit network for the future.
If you have questions about work on a Metrolinx project being built close to you, please reach out to the Community Engagement team in your area:
