Investigation of the Contributions of Sound Sources to External Train Noise

Abstract

The article discusses the method and results of in-situ investigations of the contributions of noise sources of railway transport to the external sound field. The main sources that form the external sound field are pantograph, inter-car coupler and wheel-rail interaction. Experimental studies were carried out for electric trains, passenger, high-speed and freight trains moving with different velocities. The tests have shown the wheel-rail pair makes the main contribution to the external field formation for all types of trains is made by. For high-speed trains and electric trains at speeds over 100 km/h, the noise of the pantograph begins to make a certain contribution. The sound level of electric and high-speed trains increases by 1.5 dBA and sound level of passenger and freight trains increases by 3-3.5 dBA with the increase of speed per each 10 km/h.