CURRENTLY on trial with SNCF are tuned steel bars bonded to the web and foot of a rail by a high-integrity damage- resistant polymer, to reduce radiated noise. The absorbers can be installed on existing track or when the rails are made.
Corus Rail developed the technique with Southampton University, as part of the Silent Track European R&D programme. The primary objective is to reduce noise from freight trains, but the absorbers can also suppress wheel squeal on tight metro and tramway curves.
Tests indicate that noise level reductions of around 6dB are readily achievable in the 130Hz to 4kHz frequency range, with a peak of more than 90dB(A) between 300Hz and 2kHz.
Corus Rail, Great Britain
Reader Enquiry Number 147
