Railway Noise Pollution Prevention and Control Strategies: Comprehensive Control from Source to Receiving Point

I. What is Railway Noise Pollution Prevention and Control?

Railway noise pollution prevention and control generally employs three methods: source control, sound propagation path control, and receiving point protection.

Source control mainly includes measures such as laying seamless rails, laying flexible sleepers, replacing vibration-damping fasteners, and controlling random horn use.

Sound propagation path control includes measures such as setting up sound barriers and planting green belts.

Receiving point protection includes measures such as sound insulation of buildings (soundproof windows) and changing the function of buildings.

II. Comparison of Railway Noise Pollution Control Effects

Laying seamless rails, laying flexible sleepers, and replacing vibration-damping fasteners can effectively reduce wheel-rail noise, with a specific noise reduction effect of 3.5 to 6 dB(A). These measures focus on reducing noise generated by vibration at the sound source point.

Using sound-absorbing vertical sound barriers has a noise reduction effect of 3-12 dB(A), with no effect outside the sound shadow zone.

After installing soundproof windows, the noise reduction effect of 30-45 dB(A) meets the requirements of most noise environments and indoor noise limits.

For schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and other particularly sensitive locations, after installing sound barriers, ventilated soundproof windows can be implemented to ensure that the indoor acoustic environment and ventilation meet the corresponding functional requirements.

III. What other auxiliary measures are there?

During the operation period, railway noise should be monitored. Based on the analysis of the monitoring results, measures such as controlling horn use, train speed, and upgrading railway equipment technology should be taken as needed. Where conditions permit, measures such as strengthening greening on both sides of the track can be implemented to further reduce railway noise and its impact on sensitive locations.

IV. Typical application case of soundproof windows

Railway and buildings built simultaneously—Lanzhou Railway XX Marshalling Yard

This marshalling yard is one of the five largest marshalling yards in China, with an east-west depth of 6.5 kilometers and a north-south width of 600 meters. It has 72 marshalling tracks, and handles 12,080 marshalling cars and 15,756 rolling stock daily.

Noise levels at sensitive locations reached 110 dB(A), with indoor noise levels reaching 93 dB(A). Despite six years of complaints and being a project under the supervision of the central environmental protection inspection team, a satisfactory solution remained elusive. After implementing ventilation and soundproofing measures: indoor noise levels in the residential building were measured with windows closed, and all sensitive locations met the standards.