Authors: E. Stusnick, M. Montroll, K. Plotkin, V. Kohli

Date of Publication:  January 1982

Sponsoring Agency:  U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Research and Development

Performing Organization:  Wyle Laboratories/Wyle Research

Report No: DOT/FRA/ORD-82/02-H

Abstract:

This handbook gathers together in one place the necessary background material, the required measurement and analysis procedures, and the currently available abatement techniques to respond to and meet current railroad noise regulations.

The first chapter of the handbook briefly describes its development, arrangement , and suggested use. The second chapter provides an introduction to the field of acoustics. Numerous examples are provided to clarify the concepts which are developed.

The remaining three chapters of the handbook describe the existing railroad noise regulations themselves. Far each regulated noise source, the following items are provided: a summary of the pertinent regulation; a description of the acoustic metric; a description of the required measurement site conditions; a listing of the necessary of measurement procedures; a summary of the existing data base instrumentation; a description describing noise from the source; and suggestions on possible techniques of controlling noise emission from the source. Where appropriate, sample worksheets and data sheets are provided.

In addition to the five major chapters of the handbook, four appendices provide: a glossary of terminology which briefly defines those terms employed in the regulations; a set of three programmable calculator programs which can be used to carry out some of the more common arithmetic operations on sound levels; a reproduction of the pages in the Federal Register in which each regulation was announced; and a list of suggested books and journals for further reading on the subject of noise measurement and control.

A companion document entitled "Pocket Manual for the Measurement and Analysis of Railroad Noise" (DOT/FRA/ORD-82/02/M) provides abbreviated instructions for the field measurement and evaluation of railroad noise.
 

No. of Pages:   284