Influence of train type and rail surface roughness on railway traffic noise

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Stjepan Lakušić
• Author: Marijan Bogut
• Author: Ivo Haladin
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Civil Engineering; (Transportation Engineering)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: TECHNICAL SCIENCES; Civil Engineering

Abstract (english)

Growing public awareness on noise pollution puts great emphasis on noise monitoring and mitigation measures. Railway traffic is one of the most widespread noise pollution sources in the western world. Among other factors, irregularities (roughness) on the wheel tread and the rail head cause vibrations within the vehicle and the track that lead to the generation of rolling noise. In order to conduct typical noise measurements caused by rail vehicle movement over the rails’ running surface the control of geometry state of the railway track and surface roughness has to be conducted. A railway track has to meet the regulated geometry and roughness values in order to be eligible for typical noise measurements. Noise and rail roughness measurements have been conducted on 100m long sections of two railway lines M104 (section Vrpolje - Ivankovo) and M105 (section Velika Gorica - Sisak). Section have been selected based on geometrical elements of the mentioned track and a relatively good overall condition which allow reaching train speed of 160 km/h and permanent way evaluation according to TSI-noise directive (2006/66/EC). Track evaluation consisted of geometry elements and rail surface roughness verification. Typical noise measurements of passing passenger and freight trains have been conducted at both test sites. Through the analysis of measured noise levels on two different test sites, several rail surface irregularities and their influence on vehicle noise levels have been observed. Influence of train speed and configuration has been observed. Special attention has been devoted to the different “weak spots” on railway lines (road-railway crossings, rail joints). The impact of these weak spots on the rolling noise levels has been analyzed and evaluated. Processing and analysis led to several conclusions on the effect of rail roughness on increased noise levels in the surrounding environment.

• Keywords (english): noise; rail roughness; railway vehicles
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Unknown
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Mehanika. Transport. Komunikacii
• Numbering: vol. 3, 0637
• p-ISSN: 1312-3823
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:237:492920
• Publication: 2011
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-07-22 11:01:39