Division 4.1.8 Boundary characteristics linked to exterior noise (BP17)

Stationary noise levels:

• Noise levels in stations or on stabling tracks shall not exceed 65 dB(A) measured continuously or 70 dB(A) intermittently.

  The following conditions apply to these values: measured over 30 seconds, in open country at 7,5 m from the axis of the track at a height between 1,2 and 3,5 m.

Noise levels in high-speed service:

Measurements are carried out in accordance with the constant speed test in prEN ISO 3095 — January 2001, with the following additional conditions:

• The noise level generated by a trainset in service shall not exceed a value of 87 dB(A) at a speed of 250 km/h, 91 dB(A) at a speed of 300 km/h and 92 dB(A) at a speed of 320 km/h (linear interpolation for other maximum speeds)^f1.

Measurements are carried out in accordance with the constant speed test in prEN ISO 3095 — January 2001, with the following additional conditions:

• the passage of a train is measured in open country at 25 m from the axis of the track at a height of 3,5 m,

• at constant speed with traction power operating,

• minimal possible operational configuration for normal service,

• a track type is used with design parameters ensuring minimum sound radiation from the track. These include: monoblock concrete sleepers in ballast and railpads with a static pad stiffness of at least 500 kN/mm at 60 kN preload. It is also permitted to use an acoustically equivalent track design, if available and proven. In that case, the track radiation must be shown to be equivalent to that of the track type mentioned, in accordance with prEN ISO 3095 — January 2001, Annex B: railhead roughness level L _rough (one-third-octave-band) averaged over a width of 20 mm should be $L_{\mathrm{rough}}\le \left[\mathrm{4\; -\; 6log}\left({\lambda }_0\lambda \right)\right]\mathrm{dB}$

  with λ₀ = 1 m and the wavelength λ between 0,2 and 0,005 m (rail roughness measurements according to ISO 3095, Annex C).

In areas particularly sensitive to noise, the level of noise perceived on the passing of a train can be reduced by the installation of sound attenuating measures placed along the track.

All noise measurements shall be made according to prEN ISO 3095 — January 2001.