Jernbanestøymodeller

Jernbanestøymodeller are mathematical tools used to predict the level of noise generated by railway operations. These models are essential for environmental impact assessments, urban planning, and noise mitigation strategies. They take into account various factors that contribute to railway noise, including train speed, acceleration, braking, track condition, wheel and rail roughness, and the type of rolling stock.

The fundamental principle behind most jernbanestøymodeller is to calculate the sound power emitted by different sources on a train and then propagate this sound through the environment to a receiver. Sources of noise include wheel-rail interaction, aerodynamic noise from the train's body, and engine or pantograph noise. Different models may use different approaches to quantify these sources, ranging from empirical formulas based on measurements to more complex physical models.

Propagation models then describe how sound travels from the source to the receiver, considering effects such as atmospheric absorption, ground effect, and screening by obstacles like buildings or topography. The output of a jernbanestøymodell is typically a sound pressure level at a specific location, often expressed as an equivalent continuous sound level (Leq) over a period of time. These models are continuously refined as more data becomes available and our understanding of noise generation and propagation improves.