MEASUREMENTS OF RAILROAD NOISE-LINE OPERATIONS, YARD BOUNDARIES, AND RETARDERS

A field investigation of noise emission from railroad operations was conducted. The objectives of the study were the establishment of a data base on the noise levels associated with railroad operations, both line (trains in transit) and yard, and the development of measurement procedures that could be utilized in regulations applicable to the noise from rail carrier equipment and facilities. For trains in transit, measurements were made as a function of horizontal distance from the tracks, and as a function of microphone height. Train passby data are presented as the maximum A-weighted sound level observed during the passby and as Single Event Noise Exposure Levels. The directionality of retarder noise was also investigated. Measurements were made of the noise emitted in various directions during retarder operation.

• Corporate Authors:

  National Bureau of Standards

  Applied Acoustics and Illumination Section
  Gaithersburg, MD  United States 

  Environmental Protection Agency

  Office of Noise Abatement and Control
  Washington, DC  United States  20460
• Authors:
  • Fath, J M
  • Blomquist, D S
  • Heinen, J M
  • Tarica, M
• Publication Date: 1974-12

Media Info

• Pagination: 108 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acoustic measuring instruments; Acoustics; Effective sound pressure; Environmental impacts; Loudness; Noise; Noise control; Noise sources; Power spectra; Railroad terminals; Railroad transportation; Railroads; Retarder control; Sound level; Yard operations
• Uncontrolled Terms: Noise reduction
• Old TRIS Terms: Acoustic measurement; Retarder noise
• Subject Areas: Environment; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00091193
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NBSIR-74-488 Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 26 1975 12:00AM