“Noise”Dave Anderson, RailCorp

Industry Chair, R1.105

?

• Why?

• What?

• How?

• Who?

• Well?

• Aaaaarrgh…

• Mmmmmh..

• Why noise, for rail?

• What research was needed?

• How is it being addressed?

• Who’s doing it?

• What outcomes & benefits?

• Challenges

• Where to from here?

Why should the rail industry bother with noise?

• After all:

– “the railway was here first”

– “couldn’t they see that the house they bought was

near the railway?”

Some harsh realities

• Some aspects of rail noise have improved significantly, but others are INCREASING– More services, longer trains, faster trains

– New designs (track & rolling stock)

– New infrastructure projects impact assessment

• Community and regulator tolerance is REDUCING– Annoyance & complaint (particularly re “unnecessary

noise”)

– Political pressure

– Emerging evidence of health effects

More harsh realities!

• Direct costs to rail industry

– Time and $ in complaint management

– Delay and $ for projects

• Indirect costs to industry

– Reputation and image

• Costs to community

– Health effects

What research was needed?

• Numerous noise issues and challenges– Maintenance & construction

– Horns / whistles, level crossings

– PA systems, stabling yards

– Locomotives

– Etc etc

• Not all require “research”

• Aim therefore to:– Focus on research needs

– Align to industry priorities

How?

Two specific issues identified

1. Curve noise

2. Rolling noise

Curve noise• High pitched, piercing noise, “squeal”

• Numerous efforts > 20yrs

• Australia at forefront of research & mitigation

• Mechanism still unexplained

Curve noise – audience poll

• Curve noise (measured at 15m) often:

– Exceeds 85dBA

– Exceeds 95dBA

– Exceeds 105dBA

– Exceeds 115dBA

– Exceeds 125dBA

– Is louder than the space shuttle at take-off

• “Normal” noise of a train at 80km/h = 85dBA

(measured at 15m)

Rolling noise

Rolling noise

Rolling noise control

Who?

• University of Wollongong:

– Richard Dwight

– Jiandong Jiang

– Wenxu Li

• Queensland University:

– Paul Meehan

– Paul Bellette

– Shijie Jiang

– ??

• ISVR (UK):

– Chris Jones

– David

Thompson

Who?

• ARTC– Kirsten Alexander

– Craig Jones

– Nick Petticrew

• Queensland Rail– Mark Batstone

• QR National– Don Skerman

– Shelley Fergusson

– Alex Howie

Who?

• RailCorp

– Dave Anderson

– Malcolm Kerr

– Sak Kaewenruen

– Dave Parkinson

– Ian Ying

– Sav Shimada

• PN:

– Carolyne Southern, Alfonso Saez

• TCA:

– Peter Wheen

Emerging

• Expertise in rail noise research & expertise

• A vibrant industry network on rail noise

Outcomes

• Curve noise

– Detailed analysis and testing

• Quantitative data

• Statistical analysis

• Robust but portable monitoring technique

– Emerging new theory

• “coupled modes” theory

• Points the way towards better understanding &

therefore better mitigation

Outcomes

• Rolling noise

– Robust but portable monitoring technique

– Collaboration with ISVR (UK)

– Rolling noise software

– Alternatives to barriers!

• Rail dampers now in use

• Role of wheel & rail roughness better understood

• Other opportunities (rail pad, wheel design, etc)

Challenges

• Noise is a “misfit”!

– “noise department” unusual in rail

– Human element, “greenie” issue, engineering

• Different notions

– Existing rail: “squeal”!

– Rail growth: “barriers”!

• Recruiting PhD’s

• Installing monitoring equipment

What next?

• Curve noise

– Validate new theory

– Use monitoring system in different networks

– Test mitigation options

– “How to” manual for industry

• Rolling noise

– Calibrate software

– Test mitigation options

– “How to” manual & software for industry