engleski

Investigation of tram traffic noise

The construction of tram tracks in urban zones should be approached cautiously, considering not only the economic and technical, but also ecological indicators. Because of that, the special attention have to be paid to noise reduction resulting from tram passage, especially in zones where the residential and commercial buildings are mainly located in the vicinity of tram-lines. The increasing of noise spreading from tram traffic is particularly emphasized from track with geometrical irregularities on rail running surface and from track intersections where a number of track crossings and switches are integrated. The paper presents investigation of tram traffic influence on noise in Zagreb (Croatia). Research was initiated by complaints of citizens who live and work close to tram tracks. The tram traffic in Zagreb is the most important form of the public transport. Trams network consist of 120 km of the tracks and 450, 000 passengers transported every day. The seven different types of tram vehicles from four manufactures were taking into the consideration including the new low-floor tram from Croatian consortium CROTRAM. Measurements of noise levels caused by tramway traffic were conducted on new tram tracks with smooth running surface and on exploited lines with overall geometrical irregularities on the running surface. The influence of tram track construction type, that is manner of track enclosure (paving) and type of rail support (discrete or continuously) on noise level was also take into consideration. The results of the investigation show that the satisfying reduction of noise could be obtain not only with adequate type of tram vehicles, but also with appropriate type of tram track construction.

tram vehicles; track; noise level; rail running surface; rail fastening system

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