Rail Mass Transportation System Planning and Noise

The noise produced by new high-speed rail rapid transit system operations is much less than traditionally expected due to modern design concepts and equipment which include specific features for reducing noise and vibration. Using data obtained from various operational and experimental rail transit vehicles and systems, the noise characteristics to be expected from new and proposed systems and equipment have been determined. The known and specified noise characteristics can be used during the planning of transit systems to determine the expected wayside or community noise levels for various types of way structures, vehicles, and operational conditions, and can also be used to determine design features or system characteristics which should be included for the control of noise. This permits the inclusion of noise as one of the factors affecting system planning and design.