Practical Approach to EU Interim Railway Noise Modeling Method Adaptation

This paper presents results of empirical approach to interim EU railway noise modeling method adaptation on Latvian Railway within the framework of "Innovative solutions for railway noise management" (LIFE11 ENV/LV/376 ISRNM) project under the EU supported LIFE+ program. Results of empirical investigation of railway noise on Latvian railway had shown that the real life train pass by noise levels can exceed those modelled with RMR method by up to 20 dB(A), pointing out on necessity of RMR methods adaptation to local railway conditions. Rolling noise, impact noise and traction noise of trains operated on Latvian Railway as well as rail roughness was evaluated and new train types for modeling with RMR method were defined. Developed open source simplified software for train pass by noise modeling with RMR method and integrated railway noise and vibration measurement system can be used to simplify RMR method adaptation to conditions of any other railway.