The Challenge
The Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) needed noise and vibration services related to planned capacity improvements and increased passenger train service.
The Strategy
HMMH services included:
- Performing noise and vibration measurements in the winter, spring and summer to determine the effects, if any, on noise and vibration by season. The analysis has shown frozen ground may not transmit the vibration as efficiently in some soil types
- Conducting controlled measurements on passenger trains to determine the effects of speed on both noise and vibration. ARRC is investigating the potential for operating passenger trains at higher speeds without causing higher vibration levels than those currently generated by slower moving freight trains
- Determining if ground-borne vibration or air-borne noise-induced vibration is the source for vibration complaints from residents living near the tracks
