Aerodynamic Noise Reduction using Porous Materials and their Application to High-speed Pantographs

Aerodynamic noise is a major source of wayside noise generated along high-speed railway lines, making it important to reduce the phenomenon. To this end, a new aerodynamic noise reduction method that involves covering the surface of objects with a particular porous material has been developed. To verify its aerodynamic noise reduction effects, wind tunnel tests using cylinders and a high-speed pantograph were conducted, and the noise produced was measured. The results showed that the noise generated from the cylinders and the high-speed pantograph were reduced by the application of porous materials, thus confirming that the method is effective in reducing such aerodynamic noise.