Tram type impacts on noise level

In urban areas, noise levels are one of the main factors impacting the standard of living. Noise is present at all times and impacts many aspects of everyday life. Complaints by residents living and working in city areas near to heavily travelled road traffic routes and tram lines are increasing. Tramway traffic in Zagreb is considerably greater than in other European cities where such traffic represents the skeleton of public transport within the city (according to: International Union of Public Transport – UITP). The increase in noise levels is caused not only by tram traffic on the tracks (rail running surface, track construction type, track enclosure manner), but also by the tram itself (depending on type, age, speed as well as types and condition of wheels). In order to undertake adequate measures to reduce noise levels caused by tramway traffic, the Department of Transportations of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb has conducted a survey on the impact of tram types on noise levels. The survey was conducted in cooperation with the company Zagreb Streetcar Company (ZET) as part of the Scientific Project entitled ’ ’ Permanent way of urban railways” , financed by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of Croatia. Measurements of noise levels caused by tramway traffic were conducted on new tram tracks with smooth running surface, as well as on exploited lines where there are overall geometrical irregularities on the running surface. Four types of track construction, with respect to the rail fastening system utilised and manner of track enclosure, were included in the review of tram types by four manufacturers: Đuro Đakovic, CKD Tatra, Düwag and Koncar, already in use in the ZET rolling stock.