Welfare effects of increased train noise: A comparison of the costs and benefits of train whistle use at highway–railway crossings

Cushing-Daniels, Brendan; Murray, Patrick Stuart

doi:10.1016/j.trd.2005.04.006

“…Motorists may have difficulty detecting the horn due to mask ing noises in the driver's environment, such as those from the engine and fan, and insertion loss as a result of car body construction [11]. However, those living near a grade crossing experience the horn as being too loud and a major public disturbance, impacting adjacent property values [2,3]. Increasing the maximum sound intensity permitted by law above the newly established limit of 110 dB(A) [6] would likely improve motorist detection of the crossing danger but would also further exacerbate community noise impact.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Locomotive Horn Characteristics on Motorist Detection

Melnik,

Russo,

Popkin

2024

Preprint

0

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<p>Previous research examining locomotive train horns has suggested that certain characteristics, such as the number of flutes used and the frequency components of flutes, may enhance the effectiveness of the horn as a warning device. The current research sought to examine these findings by using recordings of standard train horns that varied in their sound characteristics. A signal detection procedure was used in which participants were asked to resp ond when they noticed a locomotive horn played through a background of in -car noise. Participants were also simultaneously engaged in a visual tracking task in order to impose additional attentional demands similar to those encountered by a motorist. Results of the study are largely consistent with previous tests of locomotive train horn efficacy; however, the effects of isolated characteristics in real horns appear to be interactive rather than additive. Additional findings also suggest that detection may also be dependent on whether the demands of driving and distractions leave sufficient attention left to detect and react to the train horn. Results are discussed in terms of implications for motorist safety and design of locomotive horns.</p>

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“…Motorists may have difficulty detecting the horn due to mask ing noises in the driver's environment, such as those from the engine and fan, and insertion loss as a result of car body construction [11]. However, those living near a grade crossing experience the horn as being too loud and a major public disturbance, impacting adjacent property values [2,3]. Increasing the maximum sound intensity permitted by law above the newly established limit of 110 dB(A) [6] would likely improve motorist detection of the crossing danger but would also further exacerbate community noise impact.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Locomotive Horn Characteristics on Motorist Detection

Melnik,

Russo,

Popkin

2024

Preprint

0

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

<p>Previous research examining locomotive train horns has suggested that certain characteristics, such as the number of flutes used and the frequency components of flutes, may enhance the effectiveness of the horn as a warning device. The current research sought to examine these findings by using recordings of standard train horns that varied in their sound characteristics. A signal detection procedure was used in which participants were asked to resp ond when they noticed a locomotive horn played through a background of in -car noise. Participants were also simultaneously engaged in a visual tracking task in order to impose additional attentional demands similar to those encountered by a motorist. Results of the study are largely consistent with previous tests of locomotive train horn efficacy; however, the effects of isolated characteristics in real horns appear to be interactive rather than additive. Additional findings also suggest that detection may also be dependent on whether the demands of driving and distractions leave sufficient attention left to detect and react to the train horn. Results are discussed in terms of implications for motorist safety and design of locomotive horns.</p>

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“…The railway noise is a serious environmental problem, as reported in the lengthy study by Fields and Walker [ 22 ]. These authors evaluated the response to railway noise in residential areas in Great Britain, and reached the following conclusion: “ Noise is rated as the most serious environmental nuisance caused by railways .” The literature on environmental noise pollution contains several reports on railway noise in different countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United States of America, Switzerland, and Germany [ 16 , 22 , 31 - 36 ]. In Brazil, however, studies about railway noise are as rare as to be practically nonexistent, with a very exceptions such as the works of Bertolli and de Paiva [ 37 ] and Roland and Zannin [ 38 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Noise annoyance through railway traffic - a case study

Zannin

¹

,

Bunn

²

2014

J Environ Health Sci Engineer

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This paper describes an assessment of noise caused by railway traffic in a large Latin American city. Measurements were taken of noise levels generated by trains passing through residential neighborhoods with and without blowing their horns. Noise maps were also calculated showing noise pollution generated by the train traffic. In addition - annoyance of the residents - affected by railway noise, was evaluated based on interviews. The measurements indicated that the noise levels generated by the passage of the train with its horn blowing are extremely high, clearly exceeding the daytime limits of equivalent sound pressure level - Leq = 55 dB(A) - established by the municipal laws No 10.625 of the city of Curitiba. The Leq = 45 dB (A) which is the limit for the night period also are exceeded during the passage of trains. The residents reported feeling affected by the noise generated by passing trains, which causes irritability, headaches, poor concentration and insomnia, and 88% of them claimed that nocturnal noise pollution is the most distressing. This study showed that the vast majority of residents surveyed, (69%) believe that the noise of the train can devalue their property.

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Welfare effects of increased train noise: A comparison of the costs and benefits of train whistle use at highway–railway crossings

Cited by 8 publications

References 13 publications

The Effect of Locomotive Horn Characteristics on Motorist Detection

The Effect of Locomotive Horn Characteristics on Motorist Detection

The Effect of Locomotive Horn Characteristics on Motorist Detection

Noise annoyance through railway traffic - a case study

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