Appendix J - Peabody Energy

Table 36 Peak Component Vibration Velocity Damage and Annoyance Risk Criteria
Receiver Area
Damage Risk
Annoyance Risk
Long-term 1 Continuous (horizontal) Continuous (vertical)
Critical Work Areas 2 - 0.40 mm/s 0.14 mm/s
Sensitive Structures 2.5 mm/s - -
Residential Dwellings 5.0 mm/s 1.2 mm/s (0.6 mm/s) 3 0.5 mm/s (0.2 mm/s) 3
Commercial Offices 10 mm/s 1.6 mm/s 0.6 mm/s
Industrial Workshops 10 mm/s 3.2 mm/s 1.2 mm/s
Note 1: Conservatively assumed to be long-term for the purposes of damage risk assessment.
Note 2: e.g. hospital operating theatres, precision laboratories etc.
Note 3: Night-time criterion applicable only to residential dwellings.
Predicted Truck Vibration Levels
The vibration levels arising from rubber-tyred on-road haul trucks (e.g. that haul product coal and
coal reject off-site) can be predicted based on the “Generalized Ground Surface Vibration Curves”
presented in the “Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment” dated April 1995 prepared for
the US Department of Transportation. The Project truck transport of coal and coal reject would
be restricted to daytime hours and the predicted peak component vibration velocities are
presented in Table 37 together with the relevant criteria for residential dwellings and their
occupants.
Table 37 Predicted Truck Generated Peak Component Vibration Levels
Structure/Dwelling
Residential
Near Point
Distance
Truck Passby Speed
Vibration Criteria
80 km/hr 60 km/hr 40 km/hr Damage Annoyance
3.8 m 0.8 mm/s 0.6 mm/s 0.4 mm/s
7.5 m 0.5 mm/s 0.4 mm/s 0.2 mm/s
15 m 0.3 mm/s 0.2 mm/s 0.1 mm/s
22.5 m 0.2 mm/s 0.1 mm/s 0.1 mm/s
30 m 0.1 mm/s 0.1 mm/s 0.1 mm/s
5 mm/s 0.5 mm/s
It is anticipated that trucks travelling at a speed of 40 km/hr (or less) would generate vibration
levels below the most stringent annoyance risk criterion of 0.5 mm/s at a distances of 3.8 m (or
greater).
Similarly, it is anticipated that trucks travelling at a speed of 80 km/hr (or less) would generate
vibration levels below the most stringent annoyance risk criterion of 0.5 mm/s at a distances of
7.5 m (or greater).
The damage risk criterion of 5 mm/s for residential dwellings is unlikely to be exceeded by truck
movements on the public road network at the nearest residential dwellings.
Predicted Train Vibration Levels
Similarly, the vibration levels arising from locomotive powered freight trains can be predicted
based on the foregoing reference document. Project train movements would be 24 hours per day
and the predicted peak component vibration velocities are presented in Table 38 together with
the relevant risk criteria for residential dwellings and their occupants.
Heggies Pty Ltd
Report Number 10-5055-R1
Revision 0
Metropolitan Coal Project
Noise Impact Assessment
Helensburgh Coal Pty Ltd
(10-5055R1) 31 July 2008 Page 44