Railway noise measurement is driven by the EU Technical Specification for Interoperability — Noise (TSI Noise, Commission Regulation EU 1304/2014), which sets maximum permissible sound levels for rolling stock placed into service or substantially upgraded on the EU rail network. TSI Noise references EN ISO 3095 as the measurement method for stationary and pass-by noise from rail vehicles. Verification testing to these standards requires Class 1 measurement microphones, calibrated signal conditioning, and test track conditions that meet the background noise requirements of the standard.
In addition to certification pass-by noise testing, railway acoustic measurement includes interior cabin noise assessment to EN 15892 and EN ISO 3381, station and platform environmental noise monitoring, trackside monitoring for infrastructure maintenance planning, and research into wheel and track interaction noise. Multi-channel simultaneous recording is particularly valuable for the separation of rolling noise, traction noise, and aerodynamic noise contributions in high-speed train pass-by events.
PLACID Class 1 free-field measurement microphone sets with ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration are the appropriate instrument choice for TSI Noise certification testing. Multi-channel PQ801 or PQ1601 DAQ systems support simultaneous multi-position measurement during pass-by events.
TSI Noise certification test reports must include the calibration status of all measurement instruments. The calibration certificate must be valid at the time of the test, and the accreditation scope of the calibration laboratory must cover the measurement method. PLACID RvA-accredited calibration certificates satisfy the documentary requirements for TSI Noise type approval testing throughout the EU. Certificates are available in English, German, French, and Dutch. Additional language formats are available on request for submission to national certification authorities.