Railway source models for integration in the new European noise prediction method proposed in Harmonoise

Journal article, 2006

The purpose of the Harmonoise European project is to provide an engineering model for the propagation of road and rail traffic noise which requires, for a better accuracy than existing models, the distinction between source output and propagation. In that context, the purpose of work package 1.2 of Harmonoise is to provide the emission data for railway sources to be implemented in the engineering model for the propagation. The relevant output of the emission data that is useful as input of the propagation calculations is the sound power level of equivalent moving point sources for at most five fixed heights and the associated directivity, both in one-third octave bands. The purpose of Harmonoise is to provide source models based on the most relevant physical parameters which can describe the three main sources: rolling, traction and aerodynamic. A database structure with some examples is also provided as well as guidelines for practical data collection. The paper presents first the main investigations which have been carried out through Harmonoise to provide the source models based on their physical parameters. The paper also presents how the database is organised and linked with the Harmonoise engineering model.