CELEX: 51983PC0706
Language: en
Date: 1983-12-06
Title: PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE ON THE APPROXIMATION OF THE LAWS OF THE MEMBER STATES RELATING TO THE NOISE EMISSION OF RAIL-MOUNTED VEHICLES

N o C 354/4                         Official Journal of the European Communities                               29.12. 83
                                                            II
                                                     (Preparatory Acts)
                                              COMMISSION
              Proposal for a Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States
                                 relating to the noise emission of rail-mounted vehicles
                                                   COM(83) 706 final
                          (Submitted by the Commission to the Council on 7 December 1983
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN                                      2.    For the purposes of this Directive, 'rail-mounted
COMMUNITIES,                                                     vehicles' means any vehicle which is guided and/or
                                                                 supported during its movement by one or more rails.
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the
European Economic Community, and in particular
Article 100 thereof,                                             3.    This Directive shall not apply to the following
                                                                 rail-mounted vehicles:
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
                                                                — those used exclusively in the construction and
Having regard to the opinion of the European                         maintenance of railway installations,
Parliament,
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and                — those used for tests,
Social Committee,
                                                                — those which comply with the standards of the
Whereas the various action programmes of the                         International Union of Railways whose owners
European Communities on the environment show                         are established outside the Community.
clearly the importance of the problem of noise and, in
particular, the need to take action against noise
caused by road, rail and air traffic;                                                    Article 2
                                                                Rail-mounted vehicles shall be in conformity with this
Whereas railway noise should be reduced taking into
                                                                Directive where their sound emission levels measured
account environmental factors, technical feasibility
                                                                in accordance with Annex I do not exceed the
and economic consequences;
                                                                permissible sound emission levels indicated in
Whereas the appropriate way to reduce the nuisance              Annex II.
of railway noise would be to fix noise emission limits
at source;                                                                               Article 3
Whereas, to avoid technical barriers to trade, rail-            Each type of rail-mounted vehicle shall, on
mounted vehicles must be measured in each Member                application by the manufacturer or his authorized
State by means of harmonized measuring methods;                 representative in the Community, be examined in
                                                                accordance with Annex I by a body approved for this
Whereas, due to the very nature of railway
                                                                purpose by a Member State.
operations, complications may arise in dealing with
third countries and the cooperation of the Inter-
national Union of Railways should be sought in this             For any one type or rail-mounted vehicle, the
field;                                                          application shall be submitted to only one approved
                                                                body, which shall issue a report on the measurement
Whereas this Directive contains technical provisions            results in accordance with the model given in
which must be adaptable to technical progress,                  Annex III.
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
                                                                For each rail-mounted vehicle manufactured in
                                                                conformity with the approved type, a certificate of
                        Article 1
                                                                conformity in accordance with the model given in
1.     This Directive applies to rail-mounted vehicles          Annex IV shall be made out by the manufacturer, or
intended to circulate on the national railway                   his authorized representative in the Community,
networks of the Member States for the carriage of               where the noise level values in the report satisfy the
passengers and goods.                                           requirements of this Directive.
 ---pagebreak--- 29.12. 83                          Official Journal of the European Communities                              N o C 354/5
                        Article 4                             2.     The Committee shall adopt its own rules of
                                                              procedure.
If a rail-mounted vehicle for which a certificate of
conformity has been issued undergoes modifications                                      Article 9
which are liable to alter its noise emission levels, a
report must be issued in accordance with the                  Amendments necessary to adapt the Annexes to this
procedure specified in Article 3.                             Directive to technical progress shall be drawn up
                                                              based on the procedure set out in Article 10.
                        Article 5
                                                                                       Article 10
1.    Member States may not refuse, prohibit or
                                                              1.     Where the procedure laid down in this Article is
restrict on grounds of noise emission levels the
                                                              to be followed, matters shall be referred to the
marketing or utilization of rail-mounted vehicles for
                                                              Committee by the chairman, either on his own
which a certificate of conformity has been issued.
                                                              initiative or at the request of the representative of a
                                                              Member State.
2.    Conditions of use of rail-mounted vehicles shall,
to the extent to which they are not covered by other          2.     The representative of the Commission shall
Community provisions, continue to be covered by the           submit to the Committee a draft of the measures to
laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the        be adopted. The Committee shall deliver its opinion
country where it is used.                                     on the draft within a time limit set by the chairman
                                                              having regard to the urgency of the matter. Opinions
                        Article 6                             shall be adopted by the majority provided for in the
                                                              first indent of the second subparagraph of Article 148
If a Member State detects an instance in which a rail-        (2) of the EEC Treaty, the votes of the Member
mounted vehicle for which a certificate of conformity         States being weighted as provided for in that
has been issued is not in conformity with the                 paragraph. The chairman shall not vote.
requirements laid down in this Directive, it shall take
the necessary measures to ensure conformity. Such             3. (a) The Commission shall adopt the measures
measures may extend to the withdrawal of the certi-                    envisaged where they are in accordance with
ficate of conformity. The Member State concerned                       the opinion of the Committee.
shall, within one month, inform the other Member                  (b) Where the measures envisaged are not in
States of the action it has taken, giving the grounds                  accordance with the           opinion     of  the
therefor.                                                              Committee, or if no opinion is adopted, the
                                                                       Commission shall without delay propose to the
                        Article 7                                      Council the measures to be adopted. The
                                                                       Council shall act by a qualified majority.
If a Member State challenges an instance of non-                  (c) If, within three months of the proposal being
conformity of which it has been informed, the                          submitted to it, the Council has not acted, the
Member States concerned shall endeavour to settle                      proposed measures shall be adopted by the
the dispute. The Commission shall be kept informed.                    Commission.
Where necessary, the Commission shall hold appro-
priate consultations with a view to resolving the                                      Article 11
matter.
                                                              1.     Member States shall bring into force the laws,
                                                              regulations and administrative provisions necessary to
                        Article 8
                                                              comply with this Directive before 1 January 1985.
 1.   A Committee on the Adaptation to Technical
                                                              2.     Member States shall communicate to the
Progress of the Directives on the Approximation of
                                                              Commission the texts of the provisions which they
National Legislation in the Rail-Mounted Vehicle
                                                              adopt in the field covered by this Directive.
Sector, hereinafter called 'the Committee', is hereby
set up. It shall consist of representatives of the                                     Article 12
Member States, with a representative of the
Commission as chairman.                                       This Directive is addressed to the Member States.
 ---pagebreak--- N o C 354/6                            Official Journal of the European Communities                                 29.12. 83
                                                            ANNEX I
            METHOD OF MEASURING AIRBORNE NOISE EMITTED BY RAIL-MOUNTED
                                                           VEHICLES
            1. OBJECT
            The purpose of this method of measurement is to determine the noise emitted by rail-mounted
            vehicles used in railways.
            It defines the acoustic criteria for the environment to be used to characterize rail-mounted vehicles
            and lays down the test procedures for determining the limit value of the sound pressure level.
            The values obtained by this method constitute the basic data for checking that the equipment in
            question complies with the noise requirements.
            2. SCOPE
            This method applies to wheeled vehicles which are guided and/or supported during their movement
            by one or more rails.
            It is valid irrespective of the size and speed of the vehicles under test.
            3. DEFINITIONS
            3.1. Sound pressure level LpA
            The sound pressure level L , expressed in decibels, of a noise is defined by:
                                                    Lp = 20logio      L
                                                                     Po
            where:
            p is the effective sound pressure value measured at a particular point, expressed in pascals (Pa),
            po is the reference sound pressure, equal to 20 uPa.
            The value LpA of the A-weighted sound pressure level, expressed in dB, is obtained by applying the
            A weighting to the measuring system.
            3.2. Acoustic criterion for the environment of rolling stock
            The acoustic criterion for the environment of rolling stock shall be expressed by the A-weighted
            sound pressure level LpA-
             3.3. Limit value of the sound pressure level
            This is the value prescribed by the Directive in compliance with Annex II; it is expressed by LpAI-
             3.4. Background noise
             Background noise means any noise recorded at the measuring points which is not generated by the
             sound source.
             4. MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
             The apparatus shall be designed to measure the A-weighted level of the root mean square of the
             sound pressure.
             To satisfy this requirement, an I-type precision sound level meter satisfying the requirements of IEC
             publication 651 (first edition 1979) must be used. The sound level meter shall be used at time-setting
             'F.
             If, for any measurement, instruments other than a precision sound level meter are used, all the
             specifications of such instruments shall comply with the above requirements.
 ---pagebreak--- 29.12. 83                           Official Journal of the European Communities                                 N o C 354/7
          5. CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE MEASURING DISTANCE, THE MEASURING SITE
             AND THE ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS
          The measuring site chosen shall be in open country, the ground being substantially flat, uncovered
          or with low vegetative cover (ploughed land or grazing land).
          The track must be straight and level, laid on an earth base and equipped over the entire length of
          the test area with rails which are welded and laid on timber or concrete sleepers and ballasted in the
          usual way (stone chip ballast which is free from foreign objects and flush with the upper surface of
          the sleepers).
          (In the case of conventional railways, the weight of the rails shall be at least 50 kg/m).
          The horizontal plane of movement, hereinafter referred to as the reference level, shall be above the
          ground level of the measuring site.
          The geometry of the track and of the rails in the vertical plane must be in perfect condition and
          must not exhibit any significant surface defects, i.e. there must be no signs of roughness.
          No object likely to create acoustic disturbances may be located within a radius around the
          microphone equal to three times the measuring distance.
          Measurements are not to be taken, and in any case shall not be valid:
          — in icy weather or if the ballast is frozen,
          — if there is a layer of snow on the ground,
          — in the event of snowfall,
          — in the event of rain,
          — if the wind speed exceeds 8 m/sec.
          The background noise must be 10 dB less than the noise of the vehicle or vehicles under test.
          5.1. Special infrastructures
          Point 5.1 is being examined with a view to taking account of technical change and the final text will
          be included through the procedure of the Committee for Adaptation to Technical Progress.
          6. DETERMINATION OF NOISE DURING MOVEMENT
          6.1. Taking the sound measurements
          6.1.1. Positioning the microphones
          In the case of conventional railways, the microphone shall be placed at a distance of 25 metres from
          the vertical median plane of the track and at a height of 3,50 metres above the reference level.
          NB: If the microphone cannot be placed at a distance of 25 metres and a height of 3,50 metres for
          reasons of space, it shall be placed in the same spatial relationship at a height of 1,20 metres and a
          distance of 7,5 metres, in which case 7 dB(A) should be subtracted from the result of the
          measurement.
          6.1.2. Determination of the sound pressure levelLpj^
          The maximum value of the sound pressure level measured during movement of the rail-mounted
          vehicle or vehicles shall be that which is to be recorded.
          In the case of fluctuating noise, this value shall be obtained by determining the root mean square of
          the representative maximum levels of the acoustic signal.
          This measurement shall be repeated at least three times. If the maximum sound pressure levels
          obtained from two measurements differ by more than 3 dB(A), further measurements must be taken
          until the difference between two or more measurements is no greater than 3 dB(A).
          The arithmetic mean of the two highest sound pressure levels no more than 3 dB(A) apart shall be
          the representative sound pressure level of the railmounted vehicle or vehicles in movement.
          6.2. Operation of vehicles in movement
          When crossing the test area, the vehicle (vehicles), the noise from which is to be measured, must be
          moving at at least 90 % of its (their) maximum authorized speed, but without exceeding the
          maximum speed authorized on the user network.
 ---pagebreak--- N o C 354/8                            Official Journal of the European Communities                                  29.12. 83
            The power units of the tractive vehicles shall be operating at the minimum power necessary to
            maintain this speed.
            As regards hauled stock (coaches or wagons), trains of at least five vehicles of the same type shall
            be used for measurement purposes.
            As regards railcars, measurements shall relate to the vehicle configuration used during normal
            operation of a basic unit.
            6.2.1. Special vehicles
            Same remarks as for point 5.1.
            7. DETERMINING THE NOISE OF TRACTIVE UNITS ON STARTING
            7.1. Carrying out the sound measurements
            7.1.1. Positioning the microphones
            Measurements shall be taken under the site conditions defined in paragraph 5 above using four
            microphones placed on a vertical plane at a distance of 7,5 metres on either side of the vertical
            median plane of the track and at heights of 1,20 and 3,5 metres respectively above the reference
            level.
            7.1.2. Determination of the sound pressure level LpA
            Measurements shall be taken with the tractive unit moving forward.
            The maximum value of the sound pressure level shall be recorded at each measuring point.
            The maximum sound pressure level LpA °f t n e rail-mounted vehicle in question, on starting, shall be
            equal to the root mean square value of the maximum sound pressure levels recorded at the four
            microphones for vehicle movements in both directions of travel.
            This measurement shall be repeated at least three times. If the maximum sound pressure levels LpA
            obtained from two measurements differ by more than 3 dB(A), further measurements must be taken
            until the difference between two or more measurements is no greater than 3 dB(A).
            The arithmetic mean of the two highest sound pressure levels no more than 3 dB(A) apart shall be
            the representative sound pressure level of the rail-mounted vehicle on starting.
            7.2. Operation of tractive units on starting
            The tractive unit shall be used at the front of a train the minimum load of which depends on the
            unit's power rating. This load is given by the following table:
                                           Power rating (kW)           Minimum load (tonnes)
                                                <300                           200
                                           300 < < 1000                        400
                                                > 1000                         600
             For the purpose of measurement, a railcar shall be used in its basic configuration. The front face of
             the tractive vehicle or railcar shall be placed 20 metres in front of the plane of the microphones. The
             stationary tractive unit or railcar shall accelerate at the maximum power possible without slipping of
             the drive wheels and shall maintain this power, within the operating limits of the vehicle, until its
             rearmost point has crossed a line 20 metres beyond the measuring plane.
             NB: Preliminary tests are to be carried out to establish the conditions as regards the maximum
             power possible without slipping of the drive wheels.
             8. DATA TO BE RECORDED
             The following information should be collected and recorded in a report covering all the
             measurements taken as specified by this measuring method.
 ---pagebreak--- 29. 12. 83                          Official Journal of the European Communities                               N o C 354/9
           8.1. Rail-mounted vehicle under test
           (a) description of the vehicle under test;
           (b) operating conditions of the vehicle during the tests;
           (c) if the vehicle tested has several sound sources, description of the sources in operation during
               measurement.
           8.2. Acoustic environment
           (a) description of the measuring site and of the physical characteristics of the test area; diagram
               showing the location of the vehicle and any reflecting objects on the measuring site;
           (b) meteorological conditions: weather (sunshine, cloud, mist, etc.), air temperature, barometric
               pressure, wind speed and direction, relative humidity.
           8.3. Instruments
           (a) equipment used for the measurements, including the name, type and serial number of the
               apparatus and the name of the manufacturer;
           (b) method used to calibrate the measuring equipment, name of the laboratory conducting the
               calibration and date of the most recent calibration.
           8.4. Acoustic data
           (a) the location of the microphones and the direction of the wind are to be indicated on the
                diagram provided for in point (a) of paragraph 8.2;
           (b) sound pressure levels recorded at the measuring points;
           (c) average sound pressure levels;
           (d) type of noise (fluctuating, pure tones);
           (e) date and time of measurements.
 ---pagebreak--- N o C 354/10                          Official Journal of the European Communities                                   29.12. 83
                                                          ANNEX II
                                         MAXIMUM SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS
             1. NOISE ON STARTING
            The values for the maximum permissible sound pressure levels on starting determined in accordance
            with Annex I are given in the following table:
                                                                    Sound pressure level values in dB(A)
                         Power rating
                                                           Electric traction               Other methods of traction
             Less than 300 kW                                     82                                   87
             300 kW to 1 MW                                       86                                   91
             Greater than 1 MW                                    90                                   95
             2. NOISE FROM RAIL-MOUNTED VEHICLES IN MOVEMENT
            The values of the maximum permissible sound pressure levels for noise from rail-mounted vehicles
             in movement vary linearly between:
             80 dB(A) and 96 dB(A) for coaches and traction units,
             83 dB(A) and 96 dB(A) for wagons,
             following the equation:
                                           LcdB(A) = 30log 10 -f^o          +K
             The values for K are:
                                           K = 89 dB(A) in the case of coaches and traction units,
                                           K = 92 dB(A) in the case of wagons,
             where V is the running speed in kilometres per hour.
                                                          ANNEXIII
              MODEL REPORT ON THE MEASUREMENT OF NOISE LEVELS RECORDED ON RAIL
              VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEASUREMENT CODE SPECIFIED IN
                                                           ANNEX I
                I. VEHICLE RECORD CARD
                   — Description of the type of vehicle (tractive unit, railcar, passenger vehicle or goods vehicle)
                   — Stock code and explanation (simplified diagram and photograph)
                   — Manufacturer's name
                   — Year of manufacture
                   — Length between buffers; total weight under load
                   — Type of bogie or axle
                   — Braking system
                   — Maximum speed
 ---pagebreak--- 29.12. 83                          Official Journal of the European Communities                                    N o C 354/11
               — Additional information for tractive units:
                  — Methods of traction (electric, diesel or turbine)
                  — Power rating in kW
                  — Number of power units.
               NB: Record cards drawn up in accordance with the UIC Code on the basis of the following
                    documents:
                    — 567-1 and 567-2 OR in the case of coaches
                    — 571-1 and 571-2 OR in the case of wagons.
           II. TEST CONDITIONS
               — Date of tests
               — Site description and characteristics (general, dimensioned plan and photograph)
               — Track equipment and state of the track
               — Measuring points
               — Composition of the test train
               — Meteorological conditions.
          III. INSTRUMENTATION
               — Apparatus used for the measurements (type of apparatus and manufacturer's name, etc.),
               — Calibration conditions,
               — Date of the most recent inspection of the measuring equipment.
          IV. RESULTS
               The values recorded in these test conditions are to be indicated in the results tables the model
               of which is given below:
                                                           TABLE 1
                                             Noise of the vehicle during operation
                                                                            Maximum noise level LpA
                     Test sequence           Speed km/h
                                                               25 m at a height of 3,5 m 7,5 m at a height of 1,2 m
                Mean of the
                two highest
                values
                Observations:
 ---pagebreak--- N o C 354/12                            Official Journal of the European Communities                                             29.12. 83
                                                                   TABLE 2
                                                  Noise of the tractive unit on starting
                                                              Maximum noise level LpA at a distance of 7,50 m
                                                                           at the centre of the track
                        Test sequence
                                                      At a height of 1,20 m                        At a height of 3,50 m
                                                      L                     R                      L                    R
                               1
                               2
                               3
                   Arithmetic mean of
                   the two highest values
                   The abbreviations L and R stand for left and right in relation to the driver at his control station.
                  Observations:
              V. APPROVED BODY
                  — Name of the body
                  — Name of the person or persons responsible
                  — Place, date and signatures.
                                                               ANNEX IV
                                           MOQEL CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY
             I, the undersigned,                                                                      (surname and first name)
             hereby certify that the rail-mounted vehicle
             1. sort (coach, wagon, tractive unit, railcar, etc.)
             2. make
             3. type (simplified definition making identification possible and avoiding all confusion)
             4. year of manufacture (or of modification)
             conforms in all respects to the requirements of Council Directive
                                                                       (reference)
             at                                                        on
             by         :                 ,
             Report issued by                                                      •                             (approved body)
                                                                       at
             on
              Done at
             on
              Signature and position