Geophysical exploration with seismic methods in urban zones presents several disadvantages: the presence of numerous sources of seismic noise, the scanty penetration when the seismic source is a hammer and the disability to detect buried low-velocity beds. Recently (Louie, 2001) a new method of seismic investigation has been developed, which allows vertical modeling of Raleygh waves from spectral analysis (Vphase/frequency) using the seismic signal registered with conventional seismographs and geophones. This method allows to detect low-velocity buried beds of great interest in tunneling, and to reach depths below 50 meters. In this work we discuss the conditions of application and experiences obtained during the 2005 geophysical surveys carried out in Madrid before the excavation of the new subway tunnels.