Noise and Air Pollution of High‐Speed Rail Systems
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 115, Issue 1
Abstract
Transportation noise and air pollution problems are a nemesis to our modern society. Each transportation system, high‐speed rail (HSR) included, has its own noise spectra, characteristic air pollutant emissions, and particular environmental problems. This paper presents a review of noise levels from different types of European and Asian high‐speed rail systems. Also presented is a comparison of associated air pollutant emissions. Comparisons of the European and Asian HSR noise levels are made with diesel rail propulsion, rapid‐rail transit, and existing rail noise standards. This permits a review of how HSR noise might affect the surrounding community since these systems are not yet operational in the United States. Noise abatement for high‐speed rail systems is also discussed. High‐speed rail relies on electric propulsion. Accordingly, the only air pollutants directly emitted are by the wheel bearings, freight, and/or entrained dust, all of which are generally insignificant. However, the power required of the electric power plant and the subsequent release of air pollutants at the plant must be considered to be attributable to the high‐speed rail system. The paper includes comparison of these releases with the air pollutants emitted by diesel locomotives and a typical aircraft. Finally, conclusions on the prediction of total air pollutant load and noise levels for high‐speed rail are discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
“Advanced prediction and abatement of highway traffic noise.” (1982). Lecture Notes and Training Course Manual, U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C.
2.
Arai, M., and Yoshio, B. (1975). “Noise control for Shinkansen railways.” Internoise '75 Proc., Sendai, Japan.
3.
ASCE Subcommittee on High Speed Rail. (1985). “High‐speed rail systems in the United States.” J. Transp. Engrg., ASCE, 111(2), 79–94.
4.
Barsikow, B., and Muller, B. (1985). “A detailed study of the vertical distribution of noise sources generated by a high‐speed train.” Inter‐Noise '85 Proc., Munich, FRG.
5.
Blennemann, F. (1985). “Results from noise and vibration research for urban railways.” Inter‐Noise '85 Proc., Munich, FRG.
6.
“Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors.” (1983). Report AP‐42, 14th Ed., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Programs, Research Triangle Park, N.C.
7.
“Les Effets sur L'Environnement de la Ligne Nouvelle TGV Park/Sud‐Est.” (1983). SNCF, Cete de Lyon, France.
8.
Gaymann, T., Rahn, T., and Abraham, R. (1985). “Riding or flying?” MVP Technical Brochure, Munich, FRG.
9.
Goding, D. L. (1980). “Diesel‐electric locomotive noise control.” Inter‐Noise '80 Proc., Miami, Fla.
10.
Hanson, C. E. (1976). “Environmental noise assessment of railroad electrification.” Inter‐Noise '76 Proc., Washington, D.C.
11.
Hanson, C. E. (1977). “Noise from high speed trains in the Northeast Corridor.” Noise‐Con '77 Proc., Hampton, Va.
12.
Hidehiko, A., and Massaki, A. (1978). “Noise control of steel railway bridges in Shinkansen.” Inter‐Noise '78 Proc., San Francisco, Calif.
13.
ICE technical data intercity experimental. (1987). MBB‐Transportation Technology. Arlington, Va.
14.
Japan Environment Agency (JEA). (1985). “Further measures for achieving environmental quality standards for Shinkansen railway noise.” Japan Envir. Sum., 13(12).
15.
Keast, D. N. (1981). “Electrical substation design practice in the United States and its influence on transformer noise in surrounding communities.” Inter‐Noise '81 Proc., Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
16.
Matsuhisa, H., and Shibata, T. (1975). “The characteristics of noise caused by the high‐speed railways.” Inter‐Noise '75 Proc., Sendai, Japan.
17.
Mitchell, M. B. (1985). “High‐speed passenger train safety.” Transportation Research Record 1023, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C.
18.
Morlok, E. K. (1978). Introduction to transportation engineering and planning. McGraw‐Hill, New York, N.Y.
19.
Nimura, T., et al. (1975). “Estimation of noise radiated from the Shinkansen railway.” Inter‐Noise '75 Proc., Sendai, Japan.
20.
Nimura, T., Ebata, M., and Takahashi, T. (1976). “Estimation and consideration of the Shinkansen noise for a newly established line (New Tohoku Line).” Inter‐Noise '76 Proc., Washington, D.C.
21.
“Railroad classification yard technology; noise control.” (1981). FRA/ORD‐31/18, U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, Washington, D.C.
22.
Remington, P. J. (1976). “Wheel/rail noise, Part 1: Characterization of the wheel/rail dynamic system.” J. Sound Vib., 46(3).
23.
Shinkansen. (1984). Japanese National Railways (JNR), International Department. Tokyo, Japan.
24.
Smith, G. C., and Shirley, E. (1987). “High speed rail in California: The dream, the process, and the reality.” Paper presented at the 66th Annual Transportation Research Board Meeting, Washington, D.C.
25.
Stusnick, E. (1984a). “Issues in transportation noise mitigation: highway and railway studies.” Transportation Research Record 983, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C.
26.
Stusnick, E. (1984b). “Review of federal noise emission standards for interstate rail carriers.” Transportation Research Record 983, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C.
27.
Vernet, M. (1984). “High‐speed trains.” International Seminar in Paris, France.
28.
Vuchic, V. R. (1981). Urban public transportation systems and technology. Prentice‐Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
29.
Wayson, R. L. (1985). “The air pollution of railroad electrification in eastern Texas,” thesis presented to the University of Texas at Austin, Tex., in partial fulfillment for the requirements for the degree of Master of Science.
30.
Wayson, R. L., and Bowlby, W. (1987). “Inventorying airport air pollutant emissions.” J. Transp. Engrg., to be published, 1988.
31.
Wilson, G. P. (1977). “Rail transit system noise control.” Noise‐Con '77 Proc., Hampton, Va.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
Copyright © 1989 ASCE.
History
Published online: Jan 1, 1989
Published in print: Jan 1989
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.