FRA issuing new noise emission guidance for high-speed trains

The Federal Railroad Administration is changing train noise emission standards to address challenges unique to high-speed trains.

Current train noise standards focus strictly on engine and mechanical sounds, overlooking the wind noise generated at speeds above 160 mph, said U.S. Department of Transportation officials in a press release.

The new guidance establishes an alternative standard for noise emissions from trains traveling at speeds between 160 mph and 220 mph. This alternative standard and compliance process effectively removes a regulatory barrier to the industry for high-speed rail operations, FRA officials said in the notice of proposed rulemaking. The change also creates an approval process for noise emissions from trains exceeding 220 mph.

"One of the reasons we don’t have true high-speed rail in the United States is because current rules disadvantage trains that generate most of their noise from sources other than their engines and rolling stock instead of approaching the issue holistically," said FRA Administrator David Fink. "Updating this rule will remove a major obstacle railroads currently face when trying to operate high-speed trains."

FRA officials anticipate the reform will save high-speed rail developers $100 million over the next 30 years.