Rail Roughness Acceptance Criterion Based on Interior Noise

Severe rail roughness leads to a series of problems in metro systems, particularly the vehicle noise problem. To ensure a better acoustic environment, rail roughness control is therefore one of the main concerns for the metro operators. But the existing roughness acceptance criteria are not suitable for metro interior noise control. It is an appropriate method to determine the rail roughness limit based on interior noise. A rail roughness acceptance criterion based on metro interior noise is accordingly proposed in this paper. The relationship between rail roughness and interior noise can be derived with wheel–rail noise as link. With this objective, a combined test and simulation method is adopted. A validated wheel–rail noise prediction model is thus established to determine the relationship between rail roughness and wheel–rail noise. Moreover, the transfer function of wheel–rail noise to interior noise is developed based on extensive field test. Using this method, the noise sensitivity to roughness wavelength and acceptance criteria at different speeds and track structures are investigated. Finally, an eclectic rail corrugation acceptance criterion on curved track is suggested in consideration of practical application.