Railway Noise and Aerodynamic Problem
Tatsuo MAEDA
As a train speed increses more, railway noise and aerodynamic phenomena as the environmental problem; a micro-pressure wave radiating out of a tunnel exit and the pressure variation due to the train passage in an open area become larger. Accordingly, for the speed-up of railways, we must reduce railway noise and aerodynamic phenomena to protect the environment. At present, the noise level 75dB(A)at 25m far from the track along the wayeside of Shinkansen is attainable at 300km/h and possibly 320km/h. The Railway Technical Reaserach Institute has been eagerly pushing the reasearch and development to reduce the noise level below 75dB(A) at 350km/h.