STATEMENT OF WILLIAM HARRIS BEFORE THE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON NOISE ABATEMENT AND CONTROL

Noise sources associated with the rail transportation industry are identified as the steel wheel-steel rail interaction; retarders in classification yards consisting of metal brake shoes acting on car wheels; diesel locomotives and component systems; and locomotive horns. In the case of horns there is a straight tradeoff problem because a large percent of fatalities associated with railroad operations occur at grade crossings. In the other noise areas Federal standards should be designed because of the interstate nature of railway commerce. The cost of responding to noise standards should be met by society because of the benefits accruing to society. In the context of total environment the railroad mode of freight transportation is a low-pollution mode.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the Public Hearings on Noise Abatement and Control conducted by the Office of Noise Abatement and Control, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in New York City, Oct. 21-22, 1971. Included in Vol. VI--Transportation Noise, Urban Noise Problems and Social Behavior.
• Corporate Authors:

  Environmental Protection Agency

  401 M Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20460
• Authors:
  • Harris, W H
• Publication Date: 1971-10-21

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 74-81

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Locomotives; Noise; Noise sources; Railroads; Retarder control
• Uncontrolled Terms: Railroad noise
• Old TRIS Terms: Retarder noise; Wheel screech noise
• Subject Areas: Environment; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00043808
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 13 1973 12:00AM