The use of active vibration control for the reduction of ICE interior noise

First generation ICE high speed trains show a disturbing low frequency noise of about 100 Hz audible inside the coaches. It is excited by unround wheels, propagates via the bogie to the body of the coach and is finally radiated as airborne sound. A mixed concept of active suspension at the bogie in connection with adaptive residual noise minimisation inside the passenger compartment is successfully applied to the problem. A prototype system utilizing piezo ceramic actuators teas installed and tested on the rolling rig of De Deutsche Bahn in Munich. The noise level reductions at single harmonics were more than 12 dB averaged over the whole compartment and more than 20 dB at single seats. Measurement results and practical experiences with the system are reported.