A Review of Mitigation Measures for Reducing Railway Rolling Noise from an Infrastructure Point of View
Jin Young Yoon/Sukhoon Pyo
International Journal of Railway, vol. 12, no. 1, pp.1-9, 2019
Abstract : Since increased demands for railway speed and capacity have caused an inevitable increase in railway noise, the noise
and vibration pollution for residents living near railway lines are becoming major social problems. Therefore, noise
reduction activities are essential to ensure that railways can be recognized as one of the most environmentally friendly
means of transportation and to protect people¡¯s health. Rolling noise is the main source of noise at speeds below approximately
250 km/h, after traction noise and aerodynamic noise, and infrastructure measures could be effective to abate the
rolling noise. This review paper covers various approaches to mitigate rolling noise, focusing on mitigation measures
from the perspective of infrastructure. These include noise propagation reduction methods, such as noise barriers, the
development and application of sound absorbing materials, such as sound absorbing blocks using porous concrete, and
rail vibration and noise control methods using rail dampers and rail pads. It can be concluded, based on the literature
review, that the most effective noise control measures are those that mitigate noise at or near the source.
Keyword : Railway noise, Rolling noise, Noise barriers, Sound absorbing concrete, Rail dampers |