Ruído proveniente de sistemas ferroviários: análises por meio de medições e simulações em um estudo de caso em Curitiba-PR

Abstract

Noise pollution is an increasingly evident problem in the urban environment, however it is not seen as a priority. Most of this noise comes from transport systems, and therefore in this case report an analysis was carried out of the sound pressure level originated by the passage of freight locomotives in a densely urbanized area of Curitiba-PR. The study site is part of the Rio Branco do Sul railway branch, which is operated by Rumo Logística. Measurements of noise originated by the passage of railway trains and the activation of locomotive horns were carried out based on the methodologies of ABNT NBR 16425-4:2020 and ABNT NBR 16447:2016, respectively. The sound pressure level originated by the passage of railway trains reached 86.39 dB, generating representative daytime and nighttime noises in the study region of 65.78 and 67.02 dB, respectively. However, the average energetic sound pressure levels resulted by the horn activation reached 108.08 dB, which represents a sound pressure in N/m² 12 times bigger than that produced only by the passage. In addition, computer simulations were carried out for the external prediction of measured noise, in order to compare the results obtained with the bands foreseen in the city's master plan, the performance regulations for residential buildings and the railway noise requirements. When considering only the noise caused by the passage of trains, the maps showed sound pressure levels below the region's daytime residual noise (60.08 dB) from a range of 100 meters on each side of the railroad. However, when considering the noise of the horn with the passage, the maps showed sound pressure levels up to 70 dB in a radius up to 500 meters from the point where the horn was activated, reaching more than 90 dB on facades of residential buildings bordering the trail. Therefore, the noise arising from the activation of the horn is notably the biggest sound source when locomotives pass through this section. The most effective control measures consider stop the horn, however, this requires road infrastructure works to channel railway traffic to an exclusive route, due to the fact that it is mandatory to activate the horn before at-grade road-rail crossings. The noise coming from locomotive horns in the city of Curitiba has been studied for decades, and it is clear that nothing has been done to mitigate the damage to the health of the population living around the rail.