Notifying the ILT about railway noise | Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT)

If you are bothered by noise or vibrations from railways in the Netherlands, first submit your complaint to ProRail. If you disagree with ProRail's response, you can escalate your concern by notifying the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT).

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Requirements

First report the noise nuisance to ProRail using their contact form (in Dutch). In order to escalate your concern and process your notification, the ILT also requires ProRail's response.

Please note: if you are experiencing vibrations and noise from other railways, such as trams or metros, please contact the gemeente (municipality) or the Omgevingsdienst (environmental service).

Standards for noise and vibrations caused by railways

To prevent the level of railway noise in the Netherlands from increasing too much, geluidsproductieplafonden (noise emission ceilings) are in place. ProRail must ensure that noise levels remain below these limits. You can read more about the railway noise emission limits for railways (in Dutch). The ILT oversees noise emission limits in the Netherlands and monitors whether ProRail complies with them.

No statutory standards exist for vibrations caused by trains or railways in the Netherlands. Therefore, the ILT has no authority to require measures by ProRail or freight operators to reduce the nuisance. To better protect residents living near railways, the ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat, IenW (Ministry for Infrastructure and Water Management) is developing a national framework for railway vibrations.

Required attachments

You must upload several attachments with your online notification. Please gather the following documents before starting your notification:

Your report to ProRail.
ProRail's response.
Your explanation of why you disagree with ProRail's answer and what you are asking the ILT to do.

Submitting a notification

Notify the ILT about noise or vibration nuisance and ProRail's response using the online form Melding geluidsoverlast door rail.

Start nofication (in Dutch)

After submitting your notification

You will receive an automatic email confirming that the ILT has received your notification. The email will contain a link to your notification, allowing you to make amendments later if required.
If any information is missing, the ILT will ask you to provide additional details.
Once your notification is complete, the ILT will begin investigating your complaint.
There are several possible outcomes:
- Prorail’s response is correct. The ILT will explain why. The ILT will then close your file.
- Prorail’s response is incorrect. The ILT will then conduct a further investigation and inform you of the outcome.
The ILT will keep you informed of the progress of your notification by email.