The present paper describes an experimental methodology of identification of dynamic characteristics of a track structure, consisting in determination of a track decay rate (TDR) in the field tests that were conducted by the authors on the railway line section inWarsaw. The proposed methodology of measurements, parameters determination and presentation of the results is based on the measurement methods described in EN 15461 [1], which are aimed at determination of TDR. The values of TDR determined in the impulse tests in one-third octave bands are compared with the limiting values specified in EN ISO 3095 [2] and Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) [3]. Based on the obtained experimental data, the analysed railway line is classified as a structure that does not generate excessive level of rolling noise from the vibrations induced by the moving rolling stock on structural elements of the track – particularly on rails. The results obtained in this study are promising from the point of view of future development of effective solutions used for protection of people and environment against noise generated by the railway traffic.

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.