27/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - According to a survey published by the European Regions Airline Association (ERA), trains, especially high speed ones (TGVs) are noisier than regional aircraft. The results of the survey are as follows: 1) noise perceived by residents living from 300 meters to 150 meters from TGV lines can be as much as twice that of the typical regional jet measured at only 280 meters from takeoff, considered to be its noise most critical phase; 2) the duration of peak noise recorded for a typical regional aircraft is between 2 and 3 seconds, compared to 8-9 seconds for a standard high-speed train; 3) while peak air noise is restricted to the immediate vicinity of the airport at the point of departure and arrival, rail transport leaves its carpet of noise all along its journey affecting a much wider area and a higher number of the population; 4) unlike air transport, rail is not normally subject to night curfews. The Air/Rail Comparison Study follows closely behind the launch of the "Growing Quieter" a fortnight ago.