Railway Noise Modelling
Predict and manage noise from rail corridors, metro lines, and high-speed rail projects. Design trackside barriers and demonstrate compliance with environmental standards.
Railway Noise Assessment
Rapid expansion of rail networks across Asia and the Middle East — from Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 rail programmes to metro extensions in Southeast Asian cities — brings noise and vibration impacts that must be assessed and managed.
SoundPLAN models the acoustic emission of trains using internationally recognised source models, calculates propagation along the full corridor, and identifies where trackside barriers or other mitigation will be needed. The software handles high-speed lines, urban metro, light rail, and freight corridors, producing noise maps and impact reports suitable for environmental impact assessment.
Key Capabilities
- Railway noise prediction per Schall 03 and CNOSSOS-EU Rail
- High-speed rail, metro, light rail, and tram modelling
- Track roughness and wheel roughness input
- Receiver height and façade reflection modelling
- Noise barrier and berm optimisation along alignments
- Vibration and ground-borne noise assessment
- Night-time and 24-hour Lden calculations
- Automated noise mapping for corridor studies
Rail System Types
High-Speed Rail
Intercity HSR lines, viaducts, and at-grade alignments
Metro & Subway
Urban rapid transit, cut-and-cover, and elevated sections
Light Rail & Tram
Street-running LRT, dedicated corridors, and at-grade crossings
Freight Rail
Heavy freight corridors, shunting yards, and intermodal terminals
Supported Standards
SoundPLAN implements rail-specific calculation methods required by regulators internationally.
- Schall 03 — German railway noise calculation
- CNOSSOS-EU Rail — European harmonised method
- FTA Transit Noise & Vibration Impact Assessment Manual
- ISO 3095 — Measurement of noise emitted by railbound vehicles
- Nord2000 Rail — Nordic prediction method
- ISO 14837 — Ground-borne noise and vibration
Typical Study Workflow
- Import alignment geometry and train timetable data
- Define train types, speeds, and track conditions
- Build 3D terrain and receptor model
- Calculate daytime, evening, and night-time noise levels
- Generate noise contour maps along the corridor
- Design and optimise trackside barriers for compliance
- Produce EIA-ready noise impact report