Unobstructed views and a peaceful journey
A new Paris Métro line will improve transport links from several Parisian suburbs to the French capital. To minimize the noise exposure of nearby residents while ensuring passengers can enjoy unobstructed views of the city, the project uses noise barriers made from PLEXIGLAS® Soundstop.
The suburbs of Paris are home to around 10.5 million people, many of whom commute to work using the Métro as their preferred mode of transport. To improve access to the French capital from the suburbs, the Paris Métro network is being expanded. The new Line 18 will link strategically important hubs with research, business and residential areas around Paris. Along the sections running above ground, noise barriers made from PLEXIGLAS® Soundstop are helping to minimize the stresses of noise exposure for nearby residents.
The Paris Métro expansion project, known as “Grand Paris Express,” is currently the largest urban infrastructure project in Europe. Line 18 is a core element of the expansion. Once completed, the line will not only connect Paris-Orly Airport with Versailles but also traverse the Plateau de Saclay, home to several prestigious universities, research institutes and startups. Unlike other Paris Métro lines, Line 18 runs above ground for significant portions of its route, including as an elevated railway in densely populated areas.
PLEXIGLAS® Soundstop solid sheets for noise control:
- Lightweight
- Shatterproof
- Easy to process
- Durable
- Weather and UV-resistant
- Integrated shatter protection
Noise control for residents living along the route
To keep noise exposure levels as low as possible for nearby residents, noise barriers are therefore essential along the entire above-ground section of the route. “With its outstanding airborne sound insulation properties, PLEXIGLAS® Soundstop has been specially developed for use in this application,” explains Ralf Nettner, Business Manager PLEXIGLAS® Soundstop. The brand acrylic glass by POLYVANTIS provides effective noise control to protect the surrounding areas along the Métro line.
This is particularly crucial in the densely populated areas of Massy-Palaiseau, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines and Versailles. The line passes close to not only residential buildings but also noise-sensitive facilities such as schools and hospitals. The trains operate from early morning until late evening and at high frequencies, especially during peak hours. Without adequate noise control, this constant exposure could have long-term negative effects on the health of residents, students and patients.
Transparent noise barrier along the line
But its noise-reducing properties were not the only reason PLEXIGLAS® Soundstop was chosen as the material for noise control along Line 18. “Unlike other noise barrier materials, PLEXIGLAS® Soundstop is transparent, which prevents tunnel effects for commuters that can lead to fatigue. Instead, they can enjoy unobstructed views of the city,” explains Nettner. The transparent noise barrier also benefits local residents who have a constant view of it, as it integrates more seamlessly into the surroundings than an opaque alternative.
The project was executed by Metalset, specialists in noise control solutions based in Dompierre-sur-Besbre. In total, the experts installed 14,000 square meters of PLEXIGLAS® Soundstop XT sheets with a thickness of 20 millimeters on both sides of the new line. These solid sheets were secured using a special clamping system developed by Metalset. The low net weight of PLEXIGLAS® Soundstop compared to other noise barrier materials played a crucial role during installation. “This was particularly important for the elevated railway sections along the route,” Nettner adds, “as the weight of the noise barrier affects the structural design of the bridges.” The material also excels when it comes to safety: PLEXIGLAS® Soundstop is a certified safety glass and meets all the requirements for transparent noise control elements set out in DIN EN 1794. Furthermore, it demonstrates superior break resistance compared to other safety glasses.
Long-lasting transparent noise barriers
The new Grand Paris Express line also serves the Plateau de Saclay, home to the “European Silicon Valley,” where universities, research institutes and tech startups collaborate in close partnerships. As the plateau’s eminence grows, so does the number of commuters traveling there. Line 18 offers them a reliable and sustainable connection to Paris-Orly Airport and the greater Paris area. This is why it was initially dubbed the “green line” in the early expansion plans – and still is “green” thanks to PLEXIGLAS® Soundstop.
“We guarantee that PLEXIGLAS® Soundstop will show virtually no signs of yellowing, even after 30 years of service.”
Ralf Nettner
Business Manager PLEXIGLAS® Soundstop
The material maintains its transparency and light transmission for an exceptionally long time, allowing it to remain in use for decades. “We guarantee that PLEXIGLAS® Soundstop will show virtually no signs of yellowing, even after 30 years of service,” says Nettner. “This significantly lowers maintenance costs and conserves valuable resources.” Thanks to their smooth, non-porous surface, the sheets also resist dirt accumulation more effectively than many other materials. This simplifies cleaning processes, which would otherwise pose a considerable challenge, especially along the elevated railway sections of the route.
The use of transparent noise barriers made from PLEXIGLAS® Soundstop enabled planners to run the new line through the areas where it is most urgently needed. The first section between the Massy-Palaiseau and Christ de Saclay stations is scheduled to begin operating as early as 2026, and trains are expected to run along the entire line by 2030. Thanks to PLEXIGLAS® Soundstop, they will be easy to see on the above-ground sections, but not so easy to hear.
