The Harmonoise/IMAGINE model for traction noise of powered railway vehicles

Traction noise is one of the noise sources of powered railway vehicles such as locomotives, electric- and diesel-powered multiple unit trains and high-speed trains. Especially at speeds below 60 km/h and at idling, but also at acceleration conditions for a wide range of speeds, traction noise can be dominant. This is relevant for noise in residential areas near stations and shunting yards, but in some cases also along the line. The other relevant sources are rolling noise, often dominant between 100 and 250 km/h, aerodynamic noise, which can be dominant above 300 km/h, braking noise, curve squeal and impact noise. The braking system can often technically be considered part of the overall traction system, although acoustically it will often have separate noise sources. In the Harmonoise and IMAGINE EU projects, a generalised prediction model for railway traction noise has been proposed to cover a broad range of powered railway vehicles. The model is one of the prediction modules for overall rail traffic noise, which also covers the other main sources. The traction noise model includes the main operational parameters such as driveshaft speed and power settings, and also takes individual auxiliary components and their duty cycles into account, such as compressors, valves and fans. Source height is included in the model. The level of modelling detail in the many potential traction noise sources has been kept to a minimum, as for the purpose of rail traffic noise prediction it often suffices to model only the dominant sources. Measurement methods are outlined to determine the noise emission spectra, from which extrapolations are made to obtain estimates for different operating conditions.