Track decay rate measurements using the PBA technque

Track decay rates are an important quanty relevant for raiway rolng noise. The vertical and ateral track decay rates are used to characterise he dynamc behaviour of the rack, both as an nput to calculations and for track characterisation given n EU regulations (TSIs). TNO has developed ethods and software capable of deriving he decay rates, total effective roughness and vibro-acoustc ransfer function from rail vibration of a single rain pass-by, known as PBA (Pass-by Analysis). In his paper, examples are given of track decay rates and effective roughness derived from rail vibration easurements from pass-bys of various rain ypes at different speeds, using he PBA echnique. Whin he scope of the European project NOEMIE, rail vibration data were provided by AEIF to TNO, which were processed ndependenty. Comparison wh hamer impact easurements from AEIF showed an excelent correspondence. The variety of easurements also ustrates he condiions under which best resuls are obtained