Acoustical Warning Device for Locomotive Horns

This report summarizes the research and development of a variable directivity Acoustic Warning Device (AWD) used as a locomotive horn. A Global Positioning System (GPS) was developed to control an arrangement of directional loudspeakers. Loudspeakers are arranged on the locomotive so that sound is directed forward when the horn is initially sounded 1/4 mile from a grade crossing. Other loudspeakers are sounded approaching a crossing to direct sound more to the wayside. This approach reduces wayside noise and maintains horn detectability. The work took place at the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) with wayside sound levels comparing well to predicted patterns.

• Record URL:
  https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/acoustical-warning-device-locomotive-horns
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/60573
• Corporate Authors:

  QinetiQ North America

  350 Second Avenue
  Waltham, MA  United States  02451-1196

  Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Incorporated

  101 Walnut Street, P.O. Box 9151
  Watertown, MA  United States  02471-9151

  Federal Railroad Administration

  Office of Railroad Policy and Development, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Federal Railroad Administration

  Office of Research, Development, and Technology
  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Campbell, Tom
  • 0000-0003-4228-9685
  • Parida, Basant K
  • 0000-0003-1070-7475
  • Ross, Jason C
• Publication Date: 2022-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report; Technical Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 83p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acoustic equipment; Directivity pattern; Horns; Locomotives; Noise control; Railroad grade crossings; Warning devices
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01836099
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT/FRA/ORD-22/08
• Contract Numbers: DTFR53-12-D-00003L, Task Order 0013
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Feb 17 2022 9:10PM