Norton Introduces Bill to Combat Train Noise and Vibrations Near Homes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, today introduced a bill to require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to submit recommendations to Congress on how to reduce train noise and vibrations near homes, as well as cost estimates for each recommendation.

"D.C. residents are increasingly contacting me about the negative impact train noise and vibrations are having on their health, quality of life, and even the structural integrity of their homes," Norton said. "Although trains provide an essential mode of transportation, Congress should examine whether there are viable, cost-effective ways to mitigate the harms caused by long-term train noise and vibrations."

Train noise and vibrations negatively affect residents of the District of Columbia and communities across the country. In making its recommendations, the bill would require GAO to consider train speed and frequency, hours of operations, modifications to tracks and trains, track maintenance, mitigation measures between tracks and homes, and distance between tracks and homes, among other factors. The bill would require GAO to submit its recommendations to Congress not later than one year after enactment.

Norton's introductory statement follows.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

on the Introduction of the Train Noise and Vibrations Reduction Act of 2025

April 1, 2025

Today, I introduce the Train Noise and Vibrations Reduction Act of 2025,which would direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to submit a report to Congress containing recommendations on how to reduce train noise and vibrations near homes, as well as estimates of the costs and benefits of each such recommendation. The report would include recommendations regarding modifications to trains, tracks and maintenance procedures, speed limits, mitigation measures between tracks and homes, the distance between tracks and homes, limits on the number of trains and the number of cars on trains, limits on hours of operations, building noise insulation and modifications to soil conditions. The report would be due to Congress no later than one year after the enactment of this bill.

I hear from District of Columbia residents frequently about the negative impact of train noise and vibrations on their lives. The noise and vibrations can harm health and quality of life and can even damage the structural integrity of homes. As a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I have been committed to reducing transportation noise pollution. I have convened community meetings with the Federal Railroad Administration, the D.C. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration to examine how to reduce train noise and vibrations. A GAO report on reducing train noise and vibrations can help us identify viable, long-term solutions for communities.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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