\n High-speed railway aerodynamics is the key basic science for solving the bottleneck problem of high-speed railway development. This paper systematically summarizes the aerodynamic research relating to China’s high-speed railway network. Seven key research advances are comprehensively discussed, including train aerodynamic drag-reduction technology, train aerodynamic noise-reduction technology, train ventilation technology, train crossing aerodynamics, train/tunnel aerodynamics, train/climate environment aerodynamics, and train/human body aerodynamics. Seven types of railway aerodynamic test platform built by Central South University are introduced. Five major systems for a high-speed railway network—the aerodynamics theoretical system, the aerodynamic shape (train, tunnel, and so on) design system, the aerodynamics evaluation system, the 3D protection system for operational safety of the high-speed railway network, and the high-speed railway aerodynamic test/computation/analysis platform system—are also introduced. Finally, eight future development directions for the field of railway aerodynamics are proposed. For over 30 years, railway aerodynamics has been an important supporting element in the development of China’s high-speed railway network, which has also promoted the development of high-speed railway aerodynamics throughout the world.

Review of research on high-speed railway aerodynamics in China

A renewable low-frequency acoustic energy harvesting noise barrier for high-speed railways using a Helmholtz resonator and a PVDF film

At speeds above 300–350 km/h, the main source of noise from trains is the aerodynamic noise caused by the air flow over the train structure. The sound level increases with train speed at a rate of between 60 and 80 times the logarithm of the speed so that, as speeds increase further, the noise increases dramatically. The main aerodynamic noise is produced by the air flow passing over the pantograph, the train nose, the bogie region and cavities such as the pantograph recess and the inter-coach gap. Experimental and numerical methods for studying aerodynamic noise are reviewed including the use of microphone arrays, wind tunnels, computational fluid dynamics and semi-empirical methods. Potential mitigation measures that can control aerodynamic noise are also reviewed.

Recent developments in the prediction and control of aerodynamic noise from high-speed trains

This report is the second edition of a guidance manual originally issued in 2005, which presents procedures for predicting and assessing noise and vibration impacts of high-speed ground transportation projects. Projects involving high-speed trains using traditional steel-wheel on steel-rail technology as well as magnetically levitated (maglev) systems are included. Procedures for assessing noise and vibration impacts are provided for different stages of project development, from early planning through preliminary engineering and final design. For both noise and vibration, three levels of analysis are described including a preliminary impact screening, a general assessment and a detailed analysis. This updated guidance contains models for predicting high-speed train noise and vibration as well as criteria for assessing the magnitude of potential impacts. A range of mitigation measures are described for dealing with adverse noise and vibration impacts. There is a discussion of noise and vibration during the construction stage and also a discussion of how the technical information should be presented in the Federal Railroad Administration’s environmental documents. This guidance will be of interest not only to technical specialists who conduct the analyses but also to project sponsors, Federal agency reviewers, and members of the general public who may be affected by the projects.

https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/26225/dot_26225_DS1.pdf

C. Mellet

Papers

High speed train noise emission: Latest investigation of the aerodynamic/rolling noise contribution