Assessment of Railway Noise Levels in Urban Residential Areas: Influence of Train Speed, Length, and Type

The continuous movement of trains through urban residential areas generates noise that can cause annoyance and adversely affect the health of individuals living near railway lines. Therefore, noise control techniques are necessary to modify the noise source characteristics, transmission path characteristics, and receiver perception. Among these techniques, eliminating railway noise at the source is the most effective method for mitigating noise. This study evaluates different train types, including various speeds and lengths, to determine their correlation with noise levels. Results showed that train speed had the strongest correlation with noise levels, the driving factor for maximum noise levels. When the train speed increases by 10 km/h, noise levels rise by 2.8–3 dBA. In the case of freight trains, the train length is a critical parameter in the emission of railway noise when compared to passenger trains. The study also identifies the type of trains with the highest noise levels, and a detailed examination of the mechanism responsible for this phenomenon was carried out. Multiple linear regression models for maximum and equivalent noise levels were developed for passenger and freight trains.