Effect of the railway wheel design on rolling noise

Railway noise has become a relevant problem, especially along the urban environments. In this sense, the pollution noise coming from the rolling noise can affect the health of people in the surrounding area. For this reason, the present work focuses in reducing the total rolling noise radiated by the wheel, rail and sleeper through a study of the influence of the relevant geometric parameters involved. A comprehensive vibroacustic model of the wheel and track is considered, taking into account their dynamic interaction. The influence of the wheel geometry on the radiated sound has been evaluated by means of statistical techniques, quantifying the importance of each design parameter.