Analysis of Noise Emissions at Wheel-Rail Contact

The chapter investigates the increasing noise levels in rail traffic due to higher speeds and fatigue defects in railway superstructures. It introduces the HLUKOS project, which explores the use of acoustic data for diagnosing these defects, complementing traditional laser and contact-based methods. The project involves installing microphones on rail vehicles to record noise emissions, with a focus on the wheel-rail contact area to isolate relevant acoustic signals. The chapter discusses the technical requirements for these microphones, including mechanical resistance, accuracy, and versatility, and the challenges of high-speed data sampling. It presents data collected from a diagnostic vehicle on the TEN-T network in the Czech Republic, analyzing the correlation between track geometry characteristics and noise emissions. The study highlights the potential of acoustic analysis in identifying point defects and understanding noise emission patterns, which could inform infrastructure planning and management. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for further research to validate the method's effectiveness and its potential for widespread application in railway diagnostics.