NOISE IMPACT OF RAIL PASSENGER SERVICE

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) petitioned the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to allow the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to increase their train speed limit from 65 to 90 mph between Los Angeles and San Diego. The city of Montebello, which had recently constructed a noise barrier that allegedly reduced the train noise from 95 to 75 dB(A) at the adjacent residences, protested the increase because of the belief that the increase in train speed would negate part of the benefit provided by the barrier. Caltrans performed noise measurements behind and beyond the end of the barrier in Montebello. Measurements were also made in an open area near Galivan in Orange County, where the Amtrak train could travel at 90 mph. Conclusions from this study indicated that the noise barrier in Montebello provided about 13 dB(A) attenuation. An increase in train speed from 65 to 90 mph would increase the noise from 74 to 78 dB(A) behind the barrier. However, the exposure time would decrease from 6 to 3 sec at the higher speed. Twelve Amtrak passenger trains operate between 7:30 a.m. and 9:05 p.m. through Montebello. Other noise from sources such as switching of freight cars on nearby tracks, and operation of freight trains and engines, motorcycles, airplanes, and delivery trucks ranged from 71 to 82 dB(A). The highest train whistle recorded was 99 dB(A). These noise levels were all measured behind the noise barrier. Discussions with residents behind the barrier indicated they were bothered by noises previously mentioned that occurred on a regular basis at night. The noise from the Amtrak train was a small part of the noise environment. The PUC granted Amtrak permission to operate at 90 mph between Los Angeles and San Diego based on the information presented in this study.

Media Info

  • Media Type: Print
  • Features: Figures; Tables;
  • Pagination: pp 40-43
  • Monograph Title: Issues in transportation noise mitigation: highway and railway studies
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00399859
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS, TRB
  • Created Date: Feb 28 1986 12:00AM