The Impact of External Environments and Wheel-Rail Friction on Noise inside a Train Car

Abstract

Trains travel through various environments typically on tracks above ground or in tunnels. When trains pass through different environments, the perceived noise inside a train car can change. For example, there are three main types of noise caused by wheel-rail interaction, namely, rolling, impact, and curve squeal. Each type can be perceived differently. To consider appropriate remedial measures, the effects of the external environment and wheel-rail interaction on noise inside train cars were investigated. Spectral analysis of noise from inside a train car traveling through tunnels featured a noticeable sound frequency around 250 Hz. More reflections enter train cars from tunnels with circular cross-section, namely those constructed by a boring machine. Impact noise had larger components at lower frequencies. Curve squeal noise had larger components at frequencies between 125 and 500 Hz.