The Noise and Vibration sector of the Sustainability Platform are pleased to announce the publication of International Railway Solution (IRS) 75718: Noise on parked trains - Measurement procedures and noise data collection criteria, developed under the NOise and VIbration Technical Advice (NOVITÀ) project. The document is available for all stakeholders as well as UIC members.
The IRS provides harmonised methods for measuring and reporting noise from parked trains. It supports railway operators, infrastructure managers, and acoustic consultants in applying ISO 3095 and improving noise management practices. Its appendices will also help all stakeholders to harmonise data collection and reporting in line with requirements for global rail operators and infrastructure managers to be better neighbours. Moreover, it contributes to ongoing discussions on setting limit values for rolling stock, including anticipating future updates to the Technical Specification for Interoperability relating to the Subsystem Rolling Stock — Noise (NOI TSI) directive. Harmonised data collection and analysis from global railway operators can provide the quantitative evidence to support discussions around the anticipated regulatory changes in Europe.
To access the IRS, please feel free to register for an account on the UIC ETF website and download the document: IRS 75718 – Noise on parked trains - Measurement procedures and noise data collection criteria (UIC ETF Shop)
Industry perspectives
Martijn Wolf, leader of the working group and representative of the Dutch Railways (NS), shared his reflections, saying “This IRS is the result of true collaboration. As a railway operator, I see first-hand the importance of practical and consistent approaches to noise measurement. This document brings clarity and alignment, enabling us to collect data that is both useful and comparable. It’s a step forward in making our railways more sustainable and accepted by the communities we serve.”
Martin Rissmann of VibraTec, the project’s subcontractor, added “Working on a multinational project is always a challenge, but I’m very pleased that together a good compromise was found with this IRS and I am convinced that our expertise in railway acoustics brings real added value to the document. Finally, I am optimistic that it will help the railway sector to collect more comparable data, which in the end will allow the railways to become quieter.”
Further reading and access
If you wish to learn more about what parked train noise is and what the best practices are, please feel free to consult our technical report published in Februrary 2023. Our poster also outlines how the UIC Noise Vibration Sector plans to expand its activities following this IRS being published.
A warm thank you goes to all NOVITÀ project members and to VibraTec for their contribution.
We hope you enjoy reading it over the summer.
If you have any questions or for further information, please contact us at noisevibration at uic.org.
