Input Data for Tram Noise Analysis

The European Union passed the Environmental Noise Directive in 2002. The Directive deals with issues relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise in Member States. This main EU instrument requires that the information on environmental noise and its effects are predicted as accurately as possible. In general, the most accurate data on noise levels can be collected by measurement; however, it is a lengthy and complicated method, inapplicable to making predictions of noise levels in practice. The acoustic situation is therefore more easily determined by calculation. The Directive recommends the “Schall 03” Methodology for the calculations of tramway noise levels. Strategic noise maps are regularly produced to provide an overview on noise levels in residential areas and noise management action plans are prepared to reduce unacceptable exposures to noise. The article analyses input parameters used in the calculations of final levels of tramway noise. The basis for the analysis was a parametric study of input data, field measurements and the statistical evaluation of the measurement results. After making some generalizations and analyzing the influence of individual parameters on the calculation of tramway noise levels, it can be stated that the emphasis in calculations should be placed on the most accurate determination of the speed of a tram.