16 - Noise and vibration from the wheel—rail interface

Abstract

This chapter discusses the various types of noise arising from the wheel–rail interface and means for controlling them. The main source is rolling noise which occurs on plain track and has a broad frequency content. Discrete features such as rail joints and wheel flats generate impact noise, whilst in curves very high squeal noise levels can be produced. In each of these cases, the noise has its origins at the wheel–rail interface, but it is not emitted from the interface region itself. In the case of both rolling and impact noise, vibration of the whole wheel structure and of a considerable length of track are involved in radiating the noise. For curve squeal, specific modes of vibration of the wheel radiate the noise. At low frequencies, vibration is transmitted through the ground and may be experienced either as feelable vibration or as a low frequency rumbling noise.