The effect of rail sources on noise-sensitive construction in Chicago

Abstract

Because of Chicago’s dominance as a rail center in the 19th and 20th centuries and the miles of track present, parcels of land available for residential and other noise-sensitive construction frequently lie adjacent to freight, commuter, and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) tracks. As A-weighted sound levels commonly exceed 105 dBA underneath CTA elevated tracks, special methods of noise abatement for high-rise and other construction to address high noise levels are necessary. Also discussed will be methods of establishing acoustical criteria appropriate for commercial and residential interior spaces.