Research Study: Managing Noise from Parked Trains

Invited paper

Nathan Isert

Müller-BBM

Wednesday 3 june, 2015, 16:00 - 16:20

0.1 London (90)

Abstract:
Noise from parked trains is an increasing problem. The urban development of sites in close proximity to train yards alongside the claiming of formerly unused sidings for the parking of trains is one reason for this problem. Another cause is that old trains are more and more being exchanged with modern multiple units (MU) that generally come with a far larger number of technical aggregates installed to grant maximum comfort and safety. Managing the noise from parked trains is complicated as different parties are involved like infrastructure managers, operators and fleet owners. Parking noise issues have been included in the major revision of the TSI- Noise. The regulations however are not sufficient to solve parking noise problems. The parking noise is determined by the parking modes of the trains, the aggregate conditions in the parking modes and the noise emission of the aggregates in their operating conditions. Parking noise can be reduced by several measures and strategies. A cost-benefit analysis of possible strategies shows that taking care of the noise emission within procurement specifications has a high noise effect and shows the highest benefit/cost ratio. Procurement contracts should clearly define parking modes and noise limit values for these parking modes. Considering noise issues in the procurement requires a coordination of the train own-ers with train operators and infrastructure managers. For existing fleets the retrofit of the trains (silent components, silencer, encapsulation, enhanced software modes), noise optimized parking positions, reduced operator's procedures on site, the relocation to other depots, sound barriers, a main supply or acoustic halls may be possible solutions.

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