Research Article

Evaluation of an Aluminum Noise Barrier on the Reduction of Railway Noise

Volume: 14 Number: 3 July 24, 2026
TR EN

Evaluation of an Aluminum Noise Barrier on the Reduction of Railway Noise

Abstract

Railway noise barriers are widely used to mitigate environmental noise in cases where source-based noise reduction measures are insufficient to satisfy regulatory limit values. In this study, the effectiveness of an aluminum railway noise barrier was investigated for residential areas located near Arifiye Train Station in Türkiye. Environmental noise measurements and strategic noise maps were prepared to evaluate railway noise exposure in the study area. The results indicated that environmental noise levels measured near the railway corridor exceeded the applicable regulatory limits. Therefore, an aluminum railway noise barrier was designed and optimized considering site-specific geometric and operational constraints. Simulation results obtained before and after noise barrier installation were comparatively evaluated. According to the simulation results, the daily average environmental noise levels at residential areas close to the railway were predicted to decrease below the regulatory limit values after barrier installation. In addition to overall daily average noise levels, daytime, evening, and nighttime noise measurements were also assessed. Furthermore, noise reductions at the ground and first floors of residential buildings were comparatively analyzed, demonstrating higher noise attenuation at ground-floor receiver locations. Post-installation field measurements confirmed that the proposed barrier system effectively reduced railway noise levels under real operating conditions. The study contributes to the literature by providing an integrated assessment framework combining field measurements, simulation-based optimization, and post-installation validation for railway noise mitigation applications.

Keywords

Intercity railway, Environmental noise, Railway noise, Noise barrier

Supporting Institution

This research received no external funding.

Ethical Statement

This study does not involve human or animal participants. All procedures followed scientific and ethical principles, and all referenced studies are appropriately cited.

Thanks

The author would like to thank the Turkish State Railways (TCDD) for facilitating access to the study area and supporting the field measurements.

References

  1. Andrés, V. T., Martínez-Casas, J., Denia, F. D., & Thompson, D. J. (2022). Influence study of rail geometry and track properties on railway rolling noise. Journal of Sound and Vibration, 525, Article 116701. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsv.2021.116701
  2. Avşar, E., Erol, H., Toröz, İ., & Piro, E. (2019). Evaluation of environmental noise and vibration levels of dry-type transformers and determination of solution alternatives: Istanbul case study. Bitlis Eren University Journal of Science and Technology, 8(3), 958–967. https://doi.org/10.17798/bitlisfen.519250
  3. Avşar, E., Hanedar, A., Toröz, İ., Alp, K., & Kaynak, B. (2010). Investigation of PM10 concentrations and noise levels of the road sweepers operating in Istanbul-Türkiye: A case study. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 19(9), 2033–2039.
  4. Bunn, F., & Zannin, P. H. T. (2016). Assessment of railway noise in an urban setting. Applied Acoustics, 104, 16–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2015.10.025
  5. European Environment Agency (EEA). (2025). Environmental noise in Europe 2025. Publications Office of the European Union. https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/publications/environmental-noise-in-europe-2025
  6. Fiorini, C. V. (2022). Railway noise in urban areas: Assessment and prediction on infrastructure improvement combined with settlement development and regeneration in central Italy. Applied Acoustics, 185, Article 108413. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2021.108413
  7. Gupta, S., & Ghatak, C. (2011). Environmental noise assessment and its effect on human health in an urban area. International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 1(7), 1954–1964.
  8. Horoshenkov, K. V., & Swift, M. J. (2001). The effect of consolidation on the acoustic properties of loose rubber granulates. Applied Acoustics, 62(6), 665–690. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-682X(00)00069-4
  9. Ilonko, W. A., Handayani, D., & Soeryodarundio, K. (2025). A systematic review of sustainable materials for railway activity noise barriers in Indonesia. Engineering Proceedings, 84(1), Article 23. https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2025084023
  10. International Organization for Standardization. (2016). Acoustics—Description, measurement and assessment of environmental noise—Part 1: Basic quantities and assessment procedures (ISO Standard No. 1996-1:2016). https://www.iso.org/standard/59765.html
APA
Yüksel, T. (2026). Evaluation of an Aluminum Noise Barrier on the Reduction of Railway Noise. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology, 14(3), 680-694. https://doi.org/10.29130/dubited.1756713
AMA
1.Yüksel T. Evaluation of an Aluminum Noise Barrier on the Reduction of Railway Noise. DUBİTED. 2026;14(3):680-694. doi:10.29130/dubited.1756713
Chicago
Yüksel, Taha. 2026. “Evaluation of an Aluminum Noise Barrier on the Reduction of Railway Noise”. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology 14 (3): 680-94. https://doi.org/10.29130/dubited.1756713.
EndNote
Yüksel T (July 1, 2026) Evaluation of an Aluminum Noise Barrier on the Reduction of Railway Noise. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology 14 3 680–694.
IEEE
[1]T. Yüksel, “Evaluation of an Aluminum Noise Barrier on the Reduction of Railway Noise”, DUBİTED, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 680–694, July 2026, doi: 10.29130/dubited.1756713.
ISNAD
Yüksel, Taha. “Evaluation of an Aluminum Noise Barrier on the Reduction of Railway Noise”. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology 14/3 (July 1, 2026): 680-694. https://doi.org/10.29130/dubited.1756713.
JAMA
1.Yüksel T. Evaluation of an Aluminum Noise Barrier on the Reduction of Railway Noise. DUBİTED. 2026;14:680–694.
MLA
Yüksel, Taha. “Evaluation of an Aluminum Noise Barrier on the Reduction of Railway Noise”. Duzce University Journal of Science and Technology, vol. 14, no. 3, July 2026, pp. 680-94, doi:10.29130/dubited.1756713.
Vancouver
1.Taha Yüksel. Evaluation of an Aluminum Noise Barrier on the Reduction of Railway Noise. DUBİTED. 2026 Jul. 1;14(3):680-94. doi:10.29130/dubited.1756713