Research of Railway Noise Pollution at the Living Area of Railway Station in Klaipeda City and Designing of Noise Barrier

Abstract

Transport, including railways is one of the major sources of noise pollution, having a significant influence for environment and human life. Noise of trains depends on the category of the train, type of rails, train speed and regime of movement (breaking or non-breaking). The level of noise also depends on spinning of wheels as well as moving throughout connections between rails. According to results of this research it is clear that the noise, caused by railway transport at the studied living area is a serious problem, which is necessarily has to be solved with various organizational and technical instruments. It was found that in the living area which is situated 20 meters from rails equivalent and maximum levels of noise are exceeding the limits by 20 dBA. There was found that in average equivalent levels of noise passing passenger trains were 76 dBA and 74–75 dBA passing freight trains, measuring at the distance of 7.5 meters from the rails. At the side of Geležinkelio street the height of noise barrier must be 5–8 meters according to railway line which is being used. For the noise protection of the school which is located at the side of Stadiono street the height of noise barrier must be 6–12 meters.