Assessment of Noise Impact of Railway Transport on Residential Neighbourhoods of Voronezh City

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to assess the noise impact of railway (railway) transport and its contribution to the creation of an acoustic discomfort zone in the residential neighbourhoods of Voronezh. Materials and methods. 96 measurements of road and railway noise levels were made at 12 monitoring control points on the territory of the residential area of the «Borovoye» microdistrict (objects of multi-storey development and private sector). Measurements were carried out in spring 2024 using an Assystent noise meter (accuracy class 1) on weekends during the day and night at distances of 25-50-75-100 m from the main source of noise - railway traffi c (long-distance freight and passenger trains and suburban trains). Results and Discussion. Field measurements have shown that during the passage of railway transport the equivalent level of combined noise along the railway bed during the daytime exceeds hygienic standards by 10,3-18,1 dBA, and at night by 21,7-29,5 dBA. The highest noise level is observed during the passage of goods trains, then passenger trains and suburban electric trains. With increasing distance from the railway to the residential area there is a regular decrease in the level of combined noise. At a distance of up to 100 m during the day the noise is within the normative values, however, at night time the acoustic background exceeds the MPL by 5,4-12 dBA. As a result of the study it was established that the object of the study during the day in the absence of railway traffi c is located in the zone with an acceptable level of noise impact. During the passage of long-distance freight and passenger trains and suburban electric passenger trains, the discomfort zone during the day does not reach the residential area. At night time noise from railway transport aff ects residential areas and forms an acoustic discomfort zone on 100 % of the site area. Conclusion. Reduction of noise generated by railway transport in a specifi c case can be achieved by installing a sound-absorbing screen of at least 300 m, capable of providing the necessary comfort zone for the residents of the new microdistrict at night.