2010 crc showcase - climate change & environment - noise r1.105
TRANSCRIPT
“Noise”Dave Anderson, RailCorp
Industry Chair, R1.105
?
• Why?
• What?
• How?
• Who?
• Well?
• Aaaaarrgh…
• Mmmmmh..
• Why noise, for rail?
• What research was needed?
• How is it being addressed?
• Who’s doing it?
• What outcomes & benefits?
• Challenges
• Where to from here?
Why should the rail industry bother with noise?
• After all:
– “the railway was here first”
– “couldn’t they see that the house they bought was
near the railway?”
Some harsh realities
• Some aspects of rail noise have improved significantly, but others are INCREASING– More services, longer trains, faster trains
– New designs (track & rolling stock)
– New infrastructure projects impact assessment
• Community and regulator tolerance is REDUCING– Annoyance & complaint (particularly re “unnecessary
noise”)
– Political pressure
– Emerging evidence of health effects
More harsh realities!
• Direct costs to rail industry
– Time and $ in complaint management
– Delay and $ for projects
• Indirect costs to industry
– Reputation and image
• Costs to community
– Health effects
What research was needed?
• Numerous noise issues and challenges– Maintenance & construction
– Horns / whistles, level crossings
– PA systems, stabling yards
– Locomotives
– Etc etc
• Not all require “research”
• Aim therefore to:– Focus on research needs
– Align to industry priorities
How?
Two specific issues identified
1. Curve noise
2. Rolling noise
Curve noise• High pitched, piercing noise, “squeal”
• Numerous efforts > 20yrs
• Australia at forefront of research & mitigation
• Mechanism still unexplained
Curve noise – audience poll
• Curve noise (measured at 15m) often:
– Exceeds 85dBA
– Exceeds 95dBA
– Exceeds 105dBA
– Exceeds 115dBA
– Exceeds 125dBA
– Is louder than the space shuttle at take-off
• “Normal” noise of a train at 80km/h = 85dBA
(measured at 15m)
Rolling noise
Rolling noise
Rolling noise control
Who?
• University of Wollongong:
– Richard Dwight
– Jiandong Jiang
– Wenxu Li
• Queensland University:
– Paul Meehan
– Paul Bellette
– Shijie Jiang
– ??
• ISVR (UK):
– Chris Jones
– David
Thompson
Who?
• ARTC– Kirsten Alexander
– Craig Jones
– Nick Petticrew
• Queensland Rail– Mark Batstone
• QR National– Don Skerman
– Shelley Fergusson
– Alex Howie
Who?
• RailCorp
– Dave Anderson
– Malcolm Kerr
– Sak Kaewenruen
– Dave Parkinson
– Ian Ying
– Sav Shimada
• PN:
– Carolyne Southern, Alfonso Saez
• TCA:
– Peter Wheen
Emerging
• Expertise in rail noise research & expertise
• A vibrant industry network on rail noise
Outcomes
• Curve noise
– Detailed analysis and testing
• Quantitative data
• Statistical analysis
• Robust but portable monitoring technique
– Emerging new theory
• “coupled modes” theory
• Points the way towards better understanding &
therefore better mitigation
Outcomes
• Rolling noise
– Robust but portable monitoring technique
– Collaboration with ISVR (UK)
– Rolling noise software
– Alternatives to barriers!
• Rail dampers now in use
• Role of wheel & rail roughness better understood
• Other opportunities (rail pad, wheel design, etc)
Challenges
• Noise is a “misfit”!
– “noise department” unusual in rail
– Human element, “greenie” issue, engineering
• Different notions
– Existing rail: “squeal”!
– Rail growth: “barriers”!
• Recruiting PhD’s
• Installing monitoring equipment
What next?
• Curve noise
– Validate new theory
– Use monitoring system in different networks
– Test mitigation options
– “How to” manual for industry
• Rolling noise
– Calibrate software
– Test mitigation options
– “How to” manual & software for industry