Contemporary tools which help to design technical objects refer to the conclusions drawn from studying the changes of physical processes accompanying the exploitation, especially to vibroacoustic processes. The main problem is to define such vibroacoustic measures, where their changes would model the analyzed physical phenomena in the best way. Basing on simple indicators which refer to occurring phenomena, it is possible to obtain accurate solutions with a satisfactory reliance level without using complex computing techniques needing detailed descriptors. According to the author, the indicators which are based on the analysis of vibroacoustic energy propagation are very useful in solving engineering problems. These indicators are useful while diagnosing the condition of technical systems, identifying and minimizing the vibroacoustic risks. The possibilities of using such indicators in order to find design solution are illustrated by sample results of the research of the structures with vibroacoustic elements which reduce the noise of rail vehicles by the rail vibration damping.

The almost unlimited possibilities of modern computational tools create the temptation to study phenomena related to the operation of engineering objects exclusively using complex numerical simulations. However, the fascination with multi-parametric complex computational models, whose solutions are obtained using iterative techniques, may result in qualitative discrepancies between reality and virtual simulations. The need to verify on real objects the conclusions obtained from numerical calculations is therefore indisputable. The enormous cost and uniqueness of large-scale test stands significantly limit the possibility of conducting tests under real conditions. The solution may be an experiment focused on testing features relevant to the given task, while minimising the dimensions of the objects under consideration. Such conditions led to the concept of conducting a series of field experiments to verify the effectiveness of prototype track components, which were developed using numerical simulations to reduce the noise caused by passing trains. The main aim of this study is to examine the acoustic efficiency of prototype porous concrete sound absorbing panels, in relation to the ballasted and ballastless track structures. Presented results of the proposed unconventional experiments carried out on an improvised test stand using the recorded acoustic signals confirm the effectiveness of the developed vibroacoustic isolators.