The New German Prediction Model for Railway Noise “Schall 03 2006”: An Alternative Method for the Harmonised Calculation Method Proposed in the EU Directive on Environmental Noise

The German prediction method for noise from railway and tram lines, shunting and container yards to be built or modified was revised during the last 5 years. As the result, the draft issue of a new “Schall 03 2006” has been prepared. The model is based on octave-band sound power levels describing the emission in different heights of different vehicles, noise sources and parts of noise sources, e.g., roughness of wheels and rails, pantograph noise, and propulsion noise. The description of sound propagation follows the methods of ISO 9613-2. A procedure is included for introducing new and different vehicle or track types. With respect to the harmonised railway computation method to be used for the European Directive on Environmental Noise, recommendations are given for comparison with “Schall 03 2006” and, consequently, for improvements of the harmonised calculation method currently under development.