ACORD

ACOustics of Reprofiling and onboarRD monitoring of rail roughness

Project information

Acronym: ACORD
ACOustics of Reprofiling and onboarRD monitoring of rail roughness
Project director: Pinar Yilmazer
Project manager: Monika Rukia
Status: ongoing project
Project code: 2024/SUS/828

Project description

Rolling noise is an major source of railway noise and is largely influenced by the interaction between wheel and rail roughness. As reducing noise at its source is a cost-effective mitigation strategy, the ACORD Project brings together infrastructure managers, research organisations, and industry experts to improve the understanding and assessment of acoustic rail roughness.

The project provides a collaborative framework to develop common approaches, share technical expertise, and produce scientific knowledge that supports more effective maintenance practices, international technical guidance, and future standardisation. Through its activities, ACORD is contributing to quieter and more sustainable railway operations.

Project objectives

The project aims to:

Develop harmonised methodologies for assessing acoustic rail roughness
Improve the evaluation of the acoustic quality of rail reprofiling operations
Create on-board monitoring techniques for rail’s acoustic quality
Foster collaboration between acoustic and track experts within the UIC Rail System community
Support the development of international technical guidance and standardisation
Contribute to more effective and sustainable railway noise management

Project structure

Work Package 1 – Indicators for the acoustic quality of reprofiling

The main objective of this WP is to develop a harmonised methodology for assessing the acoustic quality of rail reprofiling operations. The work is original and aims to understand the relationship between specific features in rail roughness profiles and noise perception. Activities include:

Reviewing the current knowledge regarding acoustic rail roughness in the context of reprofiling
Conducting listening tests based on auralised signals to evaluate perceived annoyance due to different rail roughness profiles
Proposing indicators suitable to assess the relationship between rail roughness and perceived noise

Work Package 2 – Technical guidelines for the on-board measurement of acoustic
rail roughness

The main objective of this WP is to develop a harmonised technical guidance for the continuous on-board measurement of the acoustic rail roughness. This will support consistent monitoring and maintenance across railway networks. Activities include:

Reviewing existing on-board measurement systems and technologies
Developing technical guidance for harmonised on-board roughness measurements
Supporting international standardisation efforts and the implementation of on-board monitoring systems