CEN/TS 18355:2026

Railway applications - Acoustics - Unattended and automated measurements of noise emitted by railbound vehicles in operation

Publication date:   Jun 4, 2026

Scope

This document specifies long-term measurement methods to obtain trackside noise emission values of multiple trains passing by, automated and unattended, of all kinds of vehicles operating on rails in regular operation, taking into consideration the specific environmental, track and vehicle conditions.
It specifies conditions the measurement setup, data analysis and data processing methods.
The results are datasets of pass-by sound pressure levels or third octave spectra for different sites, train types, units (vehicles) which can be used for different reporting objectives and data analysis. The following are described within the document:
- comparison of results from different scenarios, e.g. to evaluate the noise reduction of innovative techniques or acoustically relevant modifications to the track structure on a particular track section;
- trend analysis;
- averaging procedures, e.g. for determination of acoustic parameters for source term calculations as given in EN 17936 or sites with other infrastructure related sources (such as bridges, crossings, switching, impact noise, curving noise).
This document is not applicable to:
- type testing;
- attended measurements;
- parked or stationary vehicles;
- shunting yards;
- positions beyond 25 m from the track;
- obstructed positions such as behind barriers or around dwellings.
NOTE The procedures specified in this normative document are of survey grade (grade 2) as defined in EN ISO 12001.