Noise from High Speed Maglev Transportation Systems

by Carl E. Hanson, Harris Miller Miller & Hanson, Inc, Lexington, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: High Speed Ground Transportation Systems I: Planning and Engineering

Abstract:

Noise levels from magnetically levitated trains (maglev) at very high speed may be high enough to cause severe environmental noise impact in residential areas, even without physical contact with a guideway. In addition to very high noise levels the startle effect as a result of sudden onset of sound may lead to increased annoyance to neighbors of a maglev system. A project performed by the author's firm as part of the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA's) National Maglev Initiative lays the groundwork for determining the consequences and potential mitigation for noise from a high speed maglev system in populated areas of the United States. Four areas are included in the study: (1) definition of the sources that affect wayside noise levels; (2) development of environmental noise criteria; (3) development of design guidelines to control exterior noise; and (4) recommendations for an acoustical testing facility. This paper provides an overview of the first two areas.

Subject Headings: Noise pollution | Magnetic levitation trains | Rapid transit systems | Rail transportation | Federal government | Vehicle impacts | Terminology and definition | United States

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