Noise control of high speed Shinkansen

A review of Shinkansen noise and methods for its control is given. In the process of controlling the noise, it has been found that many types of noise are generated from various parts of cars and other installations. These include rolling noise, bridge structure noise, pantograph spark noise, pantograph aerodynamic noise, other aerodynamic noise and gear noise. The countermeasures to reduce the individual noise are described. In order to control wayside noise, we must know the contribution of each noise element. For this purpose, ''microphone array'' and ''parabola microphone'' measurements are made. The methods of treatment of the data obtained by this measuring equipment are shown, and the amount of noise generated from the individual noise source is estimated. When the train speed increases, the contribution of aerodynamic noise becomes large. It will be considerably reduced if the surface of cars is smooth. Finally, we deduce the least possible noise values of Shinkansen, on the basis of the results obtained so far. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited