Acoustic Development of Rail Vehicles

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Prof. Dr.-Ing. Stefan Lutzenberger – Technical University of Munich (TUM)

Why acoustic precision is the key to quieter rail transport – for people, technology, and the environment.

Initial situation & relevance

Rail vehicles operate in a field of tension between technical innovation, legal requirements, and social expectations. Acoustics is much more than just a comfort factor—it is an approval criterion, a quality feature, and a driver of acceptance.

Acoustic development in line with standards is essential for

the approval of new vehicles
the reduction of noise emissions
passenger comfort
and sustainable infrastructure planning.

Challenge

The railway sector has to meet a wide range of acoustic requirements:

Internal and external noise must be measured and complied with in accordance with DIN EN ISO 3381 and 3095
The sound power of components (DIN EN ISO 3744) and structure-borne noise measurement (DIN EN 45671/72) are used for the targeted analysis and reduction of noise sources
The intelligibility of announcements (in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9921) is relevant to safety and is assessed, for example, using the Speech Transmission Index (STI).
Rail noise is subject to strict legal requirements (e.g., TSI Noise, Rail Noise Protection Act).
The infrastructure – such as tracks and dampers – must also be acoustically evaluated (e.g. according to DIN EN 15461)

Without standard-compliant measurement, there is a risk of:

Approval issues
Lack of acceptance among the population
Reduced travel comfort
Setbacks in the transport transition

Solution approach

The PAK measurement system is used for precise, mobile acoustic measurements under real operating conditions – in combination with the PAK software, Mecalc hardware, and the PAK Cloud. This creates a seamlessly integrated system that enables fast, flexible, and high-quality acoustic assessments – regardless of location and scalable.

Procedure

Measurement data acquisition on the vehicle or infrastructure with PAK measurement system and Mecalc hardware
Real-time data transmission to the PAK Cloud via integrated 5G connectivity
Direct evaluation and documentation via PAK software – remote and secure
Optional: Technical support from Müller-BBM Rail GmbH for complex issues

Results

Accelerated development cycles through digital measurement chains
Reliable compliance with acoustic standards
Greater ride comfort through targeted sound and vibration optimization
Effective infrastructure measures through precise structure-borne sound analyses
Socially acceptable rail noise levels, especially in residential areas

Customer benefits

✅ Legal certainty through compliance with standards

✅ Planning reliability for new vehicle types and conversions

✅ Image boost through quieter and barrier-free rail transport

✅ Cost-effectiveness through shorter development times and fewer reworks

⭐️ Key Features

Mobile measurement system with high signal quality
Cloud-based data availability in real time
Automated measurement evaluations with PAK software
Scalable for vehicle systems and infrastructure
Technical support from Müller-BBM Rail GmbH

✅ Conclusion

Quieter, more comfortable, more efficient: acoustic development with PAK systems is a future-proof component for rail transport—and an indispensable tool for vehicle manufacturers, operators, and infrastructure planners on the road to sustainable mobility.

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