Vibrations on Hicks between Orange and Pineapple
Hi, I just moved to Hicks between Orange and Pineapple and am noticing very frequent and intrusive rumbling/vibrations. Given both the timbre (very low rumbling) and frequency (every two minutes or so during the day, less frequent late at night) I’m assuming this is from the subway, specifically the 2/3 at Clark Street and/or the AC at High Street. But I’m puzzled for a few reasons. My understanding is that the 2/3 runs directly under Clark and the A/C under Cranberry, and I’m around 350 feet from either of those streets. In Manhattan I lived in closer proximity to subway lines and never noticed any vibrations (and I’m on a higher floor here – the top floor of a brownstone). Further, I know both lines are much deeper underground here due to the river crossing, which I assume would further mitigate any vibrations. On the other hand, I really can’t think what else this would be causing this other than the subway. I’m curious if anyone has any other ideas or similar experiences, and I’m espcially interested to hear from anyone who lives on/near my block. I’m hoping I may acclimate to this, but I’m not optimistic given how frequent and noticable it is. Thanks.
jhx1
in Brownstoner 11 years and 10 months ago
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jhx1 | 11 years and 10 months ago
Thanks bored and brokelin. That’s odd; since the vibration is presumably travelling through the ground, I would think less of it would make it to higher floors. I mean, you’re basically talking about energy, right, and energy dissipates over distance (including the distance from lower to higher floors). By the same token, I can understand vibration near the F when it’s just 30 feet below ground, but given the lines here are buried much deeper I’m surprised the vibrations are so prominent. Of course, this is just my amateur reasoning; my understanding of both physics and structural engineering is almost nonexistent.
brokelin | 11 years and 10 months ago
Yes, I think brownstones vibrate more than larger apartment buildings that, depending on age, may have steel in the construction. It makes total sense to me that the higher from the ground you are, the more you’ll shake.
boredatwork | 11 years and 10 months ago
I also live near Smith Street, but less than 100 yards, and my experience is that the higher in our brick row house you are, the more prounounced the vibration is. There really is no sound, per se. I only notice it, though, late at night when it is very quiet both inside and out.
jhx1 | 11 years and 10 months ago
Yeah I have friend in the Slope who finds the planes really bothersome even with the windows closed.That’s actually one reason I eliminated that neighborhood.
Putnamdenizen | 11 years and 10 months ago
If you were in Park Slope/Prospect Heights/Clinton Hill it would be the planes during the summer (when our windows are open).
jhx1 | 11 years and 10 months ago
Thanks for the replies everyone. Bored, I don’t think there’s necessarily a problem with the track. Given the frequency of the sound, I’m guessing I’m getting it from all lines (A/C/2/3) going in both directions, so unfortunately there’s probably not a specific track problem to be repaired. Dylan, interesting that you also experience this on a top floor at similar distance. As I mentioned, I lived closer to subways in Manhattan, and on lower floors, and didn’t experience anything like this. My assumption is that the higher up you are, the less vibration you’d experience, but I’m now wondering if it’s possible the opposite’s true.
dylan621 | 11 years and 10 months ago
We feel vibrations from the F/G train about 100 yards from Smith St and we’re also on the top floor of a brownstone. It was very annoying in the beginning but we’ve gotten used to it in the sense of it not being quite as annoying but I still feel it particularly while lying in bed when all else is quiet. I was just talking to someone who lives on Montague Street and they have had the same experience. I wonder if adding insulation under the floors or in the walls would help.
boredatwork | 11 years and 10 months ago
I think you answered your own question. Given the regularity of the vibrations, which seem to correllate to the frequency of rush hour and off peak subway service, thats the likely cause. The trains climb from the underriver tubes to the Clark Street and High Street stations and then from that level turn south and continue to climb to Borough Hall and Jay Street/Metrotech respectively. There may be a problem with track in the area on one or both rights-of-way. If you can pinpoint the source, the MTA may be able to repair.
jhx1 | 11 years and 10 months ago
Thanks for your reply Gothami. I’d be very surprised if that’s the cause. At Summit and Hicks the BQE is right at your doorstep, but here the BQE is a full two blocks away, separated by high buidlings, and buried under the Promenade. I lived one block from the BQE at my last apartment and there were never any vibrations, so it doesn’t seem possible that I’d be experiencing vibrations now when I’m twice as far.
gothaml | 11 years and 10 months ago
It is truck traffic on the BQE. We felt that as well when we lived on Summit near Hicks. You will likely have some lovely sticky dirt on your windowsills from the BQE as well. You should get used to it over time.