In the last few decades, much effort is spent on noise reduction of freight traffic. Building noise barriers is one option, but reduction at the source is thought to be more cost-effective. The Dutch government has initiated and subsidized an innovation program on noise reduction (IPG). Within the scope of this program, Lloyd's Register Rail Europe was invited to give technical support for several projects concerning freight wagons. 6 Projects were started, the first in 2002, in which 29 wagons were fitted with K-blocks and wheelsets with wheel absorbers. The other 5 projects (over 150 wagons involved, one project in corporation with the Swiss government) started during 2006 and are all focused on the use of LL-blocks. In all 6 projects noise reduction, LCC and relevant safety aspects are monitored. Noise measurements show a reduction of 5-6 dB(A) for K-blocks, 3 dB(A) for wheel absorbers and 7-8 dB(A) for LL-blocks. The LCC study for the first project will be completed by the end of 2007. Verification of the LCC of the LL-blocks will take longer. The project results will be used by the Dutch government to define a new policy for noise reduction.
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