Ground vibration boom

[1] This phenomenon, which is similar to a sonic boom from supersonic aircraft, was theoretically predicted in 1994.

At some locations along this line characterised by very soft ground (near Ledsgard) the Rayleigh wave velocity was as low as 45 metres per second (150 ft/s), and train speeds of only 165–170 kilometres per hour (103–106 mph) were sufficient to observe the effect.

It is now understood that, with the increase of operating train speeds, this phenomenon represents a major environmental problem associated with building new high-speed railway lines.

[5] If this is not desirable, e.g. for economic reasons, some mitigation measures can be applied, such as stiffening of railway embankments or building protective trenches and barriers between railways and residential or industrial buildings.

Any mitigation measures would involve the specific ground investigation works along the route.