SonRAIL – The New Swiss Calculation Model for Railway Noise

Abstract

The new Swiss calculation model for railway noise called sonRAIL is presented. The sound propagation model as well as the emission model is designed to simulate fundamental physical processes. Therefore, they allow a reproduction of current situations and prediction of the effects of different mitigation measures. The model precisely calculates emission levels, taking into account all relevant variables. The emission levels are determined as sound power spectra for five source heights. The rolling noise is calculated with wheel and rail roughness spectra. The influence of different superstructure types is taken into account. The propagation model considers the direct sound propagation, meteorological effects, and reflections at buildings, walls, and other rigid surfaces, and diffuse reflections at forest edges and cliffs are described. As a first broad application of the model, the results of the sound exposure along the Gotthard railway line in Switzerland are shown.