NOISE ASSESSMENT AND ABATEMENT IN RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEMS. REPORT ON THE MBTA PILOT STUDY

A methodology is described for assessing the noise climate and for selecting the combination of abatement techniques which reduces the existing noise to user specified levels for minimum cost. This methodology, developed in a pilot study of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) rapid transit lines, takes into account the large number of interrelated acoustic and economic considerations present in rail transit systems. Noise sources include several types of wheel-rail noise, propulsion, power pick-up, auxiliary equipment and braking noise. Noise propagation paths include airborne and structure-borne components establishing both direct and reverberant sound fields in tunnels, stations, transit cars, and communities. In the pilot application to the MBTA, minimum-cost noise control options were determined for noise level goals in the range 75 to 90 dBA.

• Record URL:
  • https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/noise-assessment-and-abatement-rapid-transit-systems
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Systems Center

  55 Broadway, Kendall Square
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02142

  Urban Mass Transportation Administration

  400 7th Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Kurzweil, L G
  • LOTZ, R
  • Apgar, E G
• Publication Date: 1974-9

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Pagination: 116 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acoustic measuring instruments; Acoustics; Analysis; Cost estimating; Costs; Economic factors; Estimates; Methodology; Noise; Noise control; Noise sources; Railroad wheels; Railroads; Rapid transit; Sound level; Standards
• Identifier Terms: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
• Uncontrolled Terms: Cost analysis; Noise reduction
• Old TRIS Terms: Acoustic measurement; Economic considerations; Noise standards; Rapid transit noise; Rapid transit railways
• Subject Areas: Design; Economics; Environment; Finance; Highways; Public Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00090103
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT-TSC-UMTA-74-13 Final Rpt., MA-06-0025
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Apr 22 1981 12:00AM