Sound

Submitted by JamesJonas on Thu, 04/16/2009 - 11:41

What are the potential noise impacts of the High-Speed Train?

Subject:

Noise Impacts to local residents and businesses along the San Jose to San Francisco Caltrain corridor from the proposed California High-Speed Rail system.

Background:

Residents along the Caltrain corridor are currently impacted by noise from the local and bullet commuter train service as well as freight. Several factors will impact the sound profile of the proposed California High-Speed Rail, which include:

Use of a ‘steel-wheel-on-steel-rail’ system.
Air displacement and friction of the moving train.
Speed of the train as it passes the impacted area.
Contact with overhead electrification systems.

Questions

What is the current sound profile of the existing local, bullet and freight rail systems along the San Jose to San Francisco Corridor for a range of conditions, including different speed profiles, acceleration/deceleration activities, locations, time of day, sounding of train horns and dropping of street/walkway barriers?
What is the estimated sound profile for the California High-Speed Rail for similar conditions given:
1. a matrix of reasonable California High-Speed Rail train, track and electrification design alternatives
2. electrification of Caltrain trains
3. alternate grade placements, including below ground, trench, at the current grade levels and above the current grade levels
What is the difference between the current sound profile of Caltrains/Freight and the sound profiles of the proposed High-Speed Rails system, given a matrix of the above mentioned different conditions?