PART 201—NOISE EMISSION STANDARDS FOR TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT; INTERSTATE RAIL CARRIERS Authority: Noise Control Act of 1972, sec. 17(a), 86 Stat. 1234 (42 U.S.C. 4916(a)). Source: 45 FR 1263, Jan. 4, 1980, unless otherwise noted. Subpart A—General Provisions § 201.1 Definitions. As used in this part, all terms not defined herein shall have the meaning given them in the Act: (a) Act (b) Car Coupling Sound (c) Carrier (d) Classification of Railroads (e) Commercial Property Standard Land Use Coding Manual. (f) dB(A) (g) Day-night Sound Level dn (h) Decibel (i) Energy Average Level (j) Energy Summation of Levels (k) Equivalent Sound Level eq (l) Fast Meter Response (m) Idle (n) Interstate Commerce (o) Load Cell (p) Locomotive (q) Locomotive Load Cell Test Stand (r) Maximum Sound Level max (s) Measurement Period (t) Rail Car (u) Railroad (v) Receiving Property Measurement Location (w) Receiving Property (x) Residential Property Standard Land Use Coding Manual. (y) Retarder (Active) (z) Retarder Sound (aa) Sound Level A (bb) Sound Exposure Level (cc) Sound Pressure Level (dd) Special Purpose Equipment (ee) Special Track Work (ff) Statistical Sound Level x (gg) Switcher Locomotive (hh) Warning Device (ii) Slow Meter Response [45 FR 1263, Jan. 4, 1980, as amended at 47 FR 14709, Apr. 6, 1982] Appendix A to Subpart A of Part 201—Switcher Locomotives [The following locomotives are considered to be “switcher locomotives” under the general definition of this regulation] Type Engine General Electric Co. 44 ton 8-D17000(2). 70 ton 6-CBFWL-6T. 95 ton 6-CBFWL-6T. Electromotive Division (GMC) SC 8-201A. NC 12-201A. NC1 12-201A. NC2 12-201A. NW 12-201A. NW1 12-201A. NW1A 12-201A. NW2 12-567. NW2 12-567A. NW3 12-567. NW4 12-201A. NW5 12-567B. SW 8-201A/6-567. SW1 6-567A/AC. SW2 6-567. SW3 6-567. SW600 6-567C. SW7 12-567A. SW8 8-567B/BC. SW900 8-567B. SW9 12-567B/BC/C. SW1200 12-567C. SW1000 8-645E. SW1001 8-645E. SW1500 12-645E. MP15 12-645E. MP15AC 12-645E. GMD1 12-567C. RS1325 12-567C. Transfer Switcher including “Cow and Calf” T 12-201A(2) TR 12-567(2) TR1 16-567(2) TR2 12-567A(2) TR3 12-567(3) TR4 12-567A(2) TR5 12-567B(2) TR6 8-567B(2) Baldwin VO-660 6-VO. DS-446 6-606NA. DS4475 6-750. S-8 6-606. VO-1000 8-VO. DS-4410 8-608NA. DS-4410 6-606SC. S-12 6-606A. DRS-4410 1 6-606SC. DRS-12 1 6-606A. Fairbanks Morse H-10-44 6-OP. H-12-44 6-OP. H-12-44TS 6-OP. H-12-46 1 6-OP. Lima 750 hp. 6-Hamilton. 800 hp. 6-Hamilton. 1000 hp. 8-Hamilton. 1200 hp. 8-Hamilton. LRS 1 8-Hamilton. TL 1 8-Hamilton (2). ALCO and MLW S1 6-539NA. S2 6-539T. S3 6-539NA. S4 6-539T. S5 6-251. S6 6-251A,B. S7 6-539. S10 6-539. S11 6-539. S12 6-539T. S13 6-251C. RSD-1 6-539. RSC-13 6-539. RSC-24 12-244 RS1 6-539T. RS2 1 12-244. RS3 1 12-244. RS10 1 12-244. RSC-2 1 12-244. RS3 1 12-244. RSD-4 1 12-244. RSD-5 1 12-244. T6 6-251B. C-415 1 8-251F. M-420TR 12-251. 1 Subpart B—Interstate Rail Carrier Operations Standards § 201.10 Applicability. The provisions of this subpart apply to all rail cars and all locomotives, except steam locomotives, operated or controlled by carriers as defined in subpart A of this part, except that § 201.11 (a), (b), and (c) do not apply to gas turbine-powered locomotives and to any locomotive type which cannot be connected by any standard method to a load cell. They apply to the total sound level emitted by rail cars and locomotives operated under the conditions specified, including the sound produced by refrigeration and air conditioning units which are an integral element of such equipment. The provisions of this subpart apply to all active retarders, all car coupling operations, all switcher locomotives, and all load cell test stands. These provisions do not apply to the sound emitted by a warning device, such as a horn, whistle or bell when operated for the purpose of safety. They do not apply to special purpose equipment which may be located on or operated from railcars; they do not apply to street, suburban or interurban electric railways unless operated as a part of a general railroad system of transportation. When land use changes after the publication date of this regulation from some other use to residential or commercial land use around a specific railyard facility, this regulation will become effective four (4) years from the date of that land use change. § 201.11 Standard for locomotive operation under stationary conditions. (a) Commencing December 31, 1976, no carrier subject to this regulation shall operate any locomotive to which this regulation is applicable, and of which manufacture is completed on or before December 31, 1979, which produces A-weighted sound levels in excess of 93 dB at any throttle setting except idle, when operated singly and when connected to a load cell, or in excess of 73 dB at idle when operated singly, and when measured in accordance with the criteria specified in Subpart C of this part with slow meter response at a point 30 meters (100 feet) from the geometric center of the locomotive along a line that is both perpendicular to the centerline of the track and originates at the locomotive geometric center. (b) No carrier subject to this regulation shall operate any locomotive to which this regulation is applicable, and of which manufacture is completed after December 31, 1979, which produces A-weighted sound levels in excess of 87 dB at any throttle setting except idle, when operated singly and when connected to a load cell, or in excess of 70 dB at idle when operated singly, and when measured in accordance with the criteria specified in Subpart C of this part with slow meter response at a point 30 meters (100 feet) from the geometric center of the locomotive along a line that is both perpendicular to the centerline of the track and originates at the locomotive geometric center. (c) Commencing January 15, 1984, no carrier subject to this regulation may operate any switcher locomotive to which this regulation is applicable, and of which manufacture is completed on or before December 31, 1979, which produces A-weighted sound levels in excess of 87 dB at any throttle setting except idle, when operated singly and when connected to a load cell, or in excess of 70 dB at idle, and when measured in accordance with the criteria specified in Subpart C of this part with slow meter response at a point 30 meters (100 feet) from the geometric center of the locomotive along a line that is both perpendicular to the centerline of the track and originates at the locomotive geometric center. All switcher locomotives that operate in a particular railroad facility are deemed to be in compliance with this standard if the A-weighted sound level from stationary switcher locomotives, singly or in combination with other stationary locomotives, does not exceed 65 dB when measured with fast meter response at any receiving property measurement location near that particular railyard facility and when measured in accordance wtih Subpart C of this regulation. [45 FR 1263, Jan. 4, 1980; 47 FR 14709, Apr. 6, 1982] § 201.12 Standard for locomotive operation under moving conditions. (a) Commencing December 31, 1976, no carrier subject to this regulation may operate any locomotive or combination of locomotives to which this regulation is applicable, and of which manufacture is completed on or before December 31, 1979, which produces A-weighted sound levels in excess of 96 dB when moving at any time or under any condition of grade, load, acceleration, or deceleration, when measured in accordance with the criteria specified in Subpart C of this regulation with fast meter response at 30 meters (100 feet) from the centerline of any section of track having less than a two (2) degree curve (or a radius of curvature greater than 873 meters (2865 feet)). (b) No carrier subject to this regulation may operate any locomotive or combination of locomotives to which this regulation is applicable, and of which manufacture is completed after December 31, 1979, which produce A-weighted sound levels in excess of 90 dB when moving at any time or under any condition of grade, load, acceleration, or deceleration, when measured in accordance with the criteria specified in Subpart C of this part with fast meter response at 30 meters (100 feet) from the centerline of any section of track having less than a two (2) degree curve (or a radius of curvature greater than 873 meters (2,865 feet)). (c) Commencing January 15, 1984, no carrier subject to this regulation may operate any switcher locomotive or a combination of switcher locomotives to which this regulation is applicable, and of which manufacture is completed on or before December 31, 1979 which produce A-weighted sound levels in excess of 90 dB when moving at any time or under any condition of grade, load, acceleration or deceleration, and when measured in accordance with the criteria in Subpart C of this part with fast meter response at 30 meters (100 feet) from the centerline of any section of track having less than a two (2) degree curve (or a radius of curvature greater than 873 meters (2,865 feet)). All switcher locomotives that operate in a particular railroad facility are deemed to be in compliance with this standard if the A-weighted sound level from stationary switcher locomotives, singly or in combination with other stationary locomotives, does not exceed 65 dB when measured with fast meter response at any receiving property measurement location near that particular railyard facility and when measured in accordance with Subpart C of this regulation. [45 FR 1263, Jan. 4, 1980; 47 FR 14709, Apr. 6, 1982] § 201.13 Standard for rail car operations. Effective December 31, 1976, no carrier subject to this regulation shall operate any rail car or combination of rail cars which while in motion produce sound levels in excess of (1) 88 dB(A) at rail car speeds up to and including 75 km/hr (45 mph); or (2) 93 dB(A) at rail car speeds greater than 72 km/hr (45 mph); when measured in accordance with the criteria specified in Subpart C of this part with fast meter response at 30 meters (100) feet from the centerline of any section of track which is free of special track work or bridges or trestles and which exhibits less than a two (2) degree curve (or a radius of curvature greater than 873 meters (2,865 feet)). [45 FR 1263, Jan. 4, 1980; 47 FR 14709, Apr. 6, 1982] § 201.14 Standard for retarders. Effective January 15, 1984, no carrier subject to this regulation shall operate retarders that exceed an adjusted average maximum A-weighted sound level of 83 dB at any receiving property measurement location, when measured with fast meter response in accordance with Subpart C of this part. [45 FR 1263, Jan. 4, 1980; 47 FR 14709, Apr. 6, 1982] § 201.15 Standard for car coupling operations. Effective January 15, 1984, no carrier subject to this regulation shall conduct car coupling operations that exceed an adjusted average maximum A-weighted sound level of 92 dB at any receiving property measurement location, when measured with fast meter response in accordance with Subpart C of this part, except, such coupling will be found in compliance with this standard and the carrier will be considered in compliance, if the railroad demonstrates that the standard is exceeded at the receiving property measurement locations (where the standard was previously exceeded) when cars representative of those found to exceed the standard are coupled at similar locations at coupling speeds of eight miles per hour or less. [45 FR 1263, Jan. 4, 1980; 47 FR 14709, Apr. 6, 1982] § 201.16 Standard for locomotive load cell test stands. (a) Effective January 15, 1984, no carrier subject to this reguation shall operate locomotive load cell test stands that exceed an A-weighted sound level of 78 dB when measured with slow meter response in accordance with Subpart C of this part excluding § 201.23 (b) and (c), at a point 30 meters (100 feet) from the geometric center of the locomotive undergoing test, along a line that is both perpendicular to the centerline of the track and originates at the locomotive geometric center, and in the direction most nearly towards the closest receiving property measurement location. All locomotive load cell test stands in a particular railroad facility are in compliance with this standard if the A-weighted sound level from the load cell does not exceed 65 dB at any receiving property measurement location near that particular railyard facility and when measured with fast meter response in accordance with Subpart C of this regulation. (b) If the conditions of any part of § 201.23(a) cannot be met at a specific load cell test stand site, then the A-weighted sound level from that specific load cell test stand must not exceed 65 dB when measured with fast meter response at a receiving property measurement location more than 120 meters (400 feet) from the geometric center of the locomotive being tested and in accordance with Subpart C of this regulation. [45 FR 1263, Jan. 4, 1980; 47 FR 14709, Apr. 6, 1982] Subpart C—Measurement Criteria § 201.20 Applicability and purpose. The following criteria are applicable to and contain the necessary parameters and procedures for the measurement of the noise emission levels prescribed in the standards of Subpart B of this part. These criteria are specified in order to further clarify and define such standards. Equivalent measurement procedures may be used for establishing compliance with these regulations. Any equivalent measurement procedure, under any circumstance, shall not result in a more stringent noise control requirement than those specified in this regulation using the measurement procedures in Subpart C. § 201.21 Quantities measured. The quantities to be measured under the test conditions described below, are the A-weighted sound levels for “fast” or “slow” meter response as defined in the American National Standard S1.4-1971. § 201.22 Measurement instrumentation. (a) A sound level meter or alternate sound level measurement system that meets, as a minimum, all the requirements of American National Standard S1.4-1971 1 1 Table 1—Sound Level Corrections When Using a Type 2 (or S2A) Instrument Measurement section Source Decibels 1 201.24 Locomotives 0 Rail cars 0 Locomotive load cell test stand 0 201.26 Retarder 4 Car coupling 2 201.27 Locomotive load cell test stand 0 Stationary locomotive 0 1 (b) A microphone windscreen and an acoustic calibrator of the coupler type must be used as recommended by: (1) the manufacturer of the sound level meter or (2) the manufacturer of the microphone. The choice of both devices must be based on ensuring that Type 1 or 2 performance, as appropriate, is maintained for frequencies below 10,000 Hz. § 201.23 Test site, weather conditions and background noise criteria for measurement at a 30 meter (100 feet) distance of the noise from locomotive and rail car operations and locomotive load cell test stands. (a) The standard test site shall be such that the locomotive or train radiates sound into a free field over the ground plane. This condition may be considered fulfilled if the test site consists of an open space free of large, sound reflecting objects, such as barriers, hills, signboards, parked vehicles, locomotives or rail cars on adjacent tracks, bridges or buildings within the boundaries described by Figure 1, as well as conforms to the other requirements of this § 201.23. (b) Within the complete test site, the top of at least one rail upon which the locomotive or train is located shall be visible (line of sight) from a position 1.2 meters (4 feet) above the ground at the microphone location, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section. (c) Ground cover such as vegetation, fenceposts, small trees, telephone poles, etc., shall be limited within the area in the test site between the vehicle under test and the measuring microphone such that 80 percent of the top of at least one rail along the entire test section of track be visible from a position 1.2 meters (4 feet) above the ground at the microphone location; except that no single obstruction shall account for more than 5 percent of the total allowable obstruction. (d) The ground elevation at the microphone location shall be within plus 1.5 meters (5 feet) or minus 3.0 meters (10 feet) of the elevation of the top of the rail at the location in-line with the microphone. (e) Within the test site, the track shall exhibit less than a 2 degree curve or a radius of curvature greater than 873 meters (2,865 feet). This paragraph shall not apply during a stationary test. The track shall be tie and ballast, free of special track work and bridges or trestles. (f) Measurements shall not be made during precipitation. (g) The maximum A-weighted fast response sound level observed at the test site immediately before and after the test shall be at least 10 dB(A) below the level measured during the test. For the locomotive and rail car pass-by tests this requirement applies before and after the train containing the rolling stock to be tested has passed. This background sound level measurement shall include the contribution from the operation of the load cell, if any, including load cell contribution during test. (h) Noise measurements may only be made if the measured wind velocity is 19.3 km/hr (12 mph) or less. Gust wind measurements of up to 33.2 km/hr (20 mph) are allowed. § 201.24 Procedures for measurement at a 30 meter (100 feet) distance of the noise from locomotive and rail car operations and locomotive load cell test stands. (a) Microphone positions. (2) The observer shall not stand between the microphone and the source whose sound level is being measured. (b) Stationary locomotive and locomotive load cell test stand tests. (2) The sound level meter shall be observed for thirty seconds after the test throttle setting is established to assure operating stability. The maximum sound level observed during that time shall be utilized for compliance purposes. (3) Measurement of stationary locomotive and locomotive load cell test stand noise shall be made with all cooling fans operating. (c) Rail car pass-by test. (2) Rail car noise measurements shall be made when the locomotives have passed a distance 152.4 meters (500 feet) or 10 rail cars beyond the point at the intersection of the track and the line which extends perpendicularly from the track to the microphone location, providing any other locomotives are also at least 152.4 meters (500 feet) or 10 rail car lengths away from the measuring point. The maximum sound level observed in this manner which exceeds the noise levels specified in § 201.13 shall be utilized for compliance purposes. (3) Measurements shall be taken on reasonably well maintained tracks. (4) Noise levels shall not be recorded if brake squeal is present during the test measurement. (d) Locomotive pass-by test. (2) The noise level shall be measured as the locomotive approaches and passes by the microphone location. The maximum noise level observed during this period shall be utilized for compliance purposes. (3) Measurements shall be taken on reasonably well maintained tracks. § 201.25 Measurement location and weather conditions for measurement on receiving property of the noise of retarders, car coupling, locomotive load cell test stands, and stationary locomotives. (a) Measurements must be conducted only at receiving property measurement locations. (b) Measurement locations on receiving property must be selected such that no substantially vertical plane surface, other than a residential or commercial unit wall or facility boundary noise barrier, that exceeds 1.2 meters (4 feet) in height is located within 10 meters (33.3 feet) of the microphone and that no exterior wall of a residential or commercial structure is located within 2.0 meters (6.6 feet) of the microphone. If the residential structure is a farm home, measurements must be made 2.0 to 10.0 meters (6.6 to 33.3 feet) from any exterior wall. (c) No measurement may be made when the average wind velocity during the period of measurement exceeds 19.3 km/hr (12 mph) or when the maximum wind gust velocity exceeds 32.2 km/hr (20 mph). (d) No measurement may be taken when precipitation, e.g., rain, snow, sleet, or hail, is occurring. § 201.26 Procedures for the measurement on receiving property of retarder and car coupling noise. (a) Retarders Microphone. (2) Data. (3) Adjusted average maximum A-weighted sound level. ave max adj ave max (b) Car coupling impact Microphone. (2) Data. Table 2—Adjustment to L ave max adj ave max 1 [n/T = number of measurements/measurement duration (min) C = Adjustment in dB] 0.111 to 0.141 −9 0.142 to 0.178 −8 0.179 to 0.224 −7 0.225 to 0.282 −6 0.283 to 0.355 −5 0.356 to 0.447 −4 0.448 to 0.562 −3 0.563 to 0.708 −2 0.709 to 0.891 −1 0.892 to 1.122 0 1.123 to 1.413 + 1 1.414 to 1.778 + 2 1.779 to 2.239 + 3 2.240 to 2.818 + 4 2.819 to 3.548 + 5 3.549 to 4.467 + 6 1 adj ave max ave max Values in Table 2 were calculated from [C = 10 log n/T] with intervals selected to round off values to the nearest whole decibel. The table may be extended or interpolated to finer interval gradations by using this defining equation. (3) Adjusted average maximum A-weighted sound level. ave max adj ave max § 201.27 Procedures for: (1) Determining applicability of the locomotive load cell test stand standard and switcher locomotive standard by noise measurement on a receiving property; (2) measurement of locomotive load cell test stands more than 120 meters (400 feet) on a receiving property. (a) Microphone. (b) Data. 90 90 10 99 (2) Data shall be collected by measuring the instantaneous A-weighted sound level (FAST) at a rate of at least once each 10 seconds for a measurement period of at least 15 minutes and until 100 measurements are obtained. The data may be taken manually by direct reading of the indicator at 10 second intervals (±1 second), or by attaching a statistical analyzer, graphic level recorder, or other equivalent device to the sound level meter for a more continuous recording of the instantaneous sound level. (3) The data shall be analyzed to determine the levels exceeded 99%, 90%, and 10% of the time, i.e., L 99 90 10 90 10 99 90 90 90 90 (c) Determination of applicability of the standard when L 90 is validated and is in excess of one or more of the source standards. 90 (1) The principal direction of the nearly steady-state sound at the measurement location must be determined, if possible, by listening to the sound and localizing its apparent source(s). If the observer is clearly convinced by this localization process that the sound emanates only from one or both of these two sources, then: (i) If only stationary locomotive(s), including at least one switcher locomotive, are present, the value of L 90 (ii) If only a locomotive load cell test stand and the locomotive being tested are present and operating, the value of L 90 (iii) If a locomotive load cell test stand(s) and the locomotive being tested are present and operating with stationary locomotive(s), including at least one switcher locomotive, the value L 90 (iv) If a locomotive load cell test stand(s) and the locomotive being tested are present and operating, and a stationary locomotive(s) is present, and if the nearly steady-state sound level is observed to change by 10 dB, coincident with evidence of a change in operation of the locomotive load cell test stand but without apparent change in the location of stationary locomotives, another measurement of L 90 90 90 90 (2) In order to accomplish the comparison demonstration of paragraph (c)(3) of this section, when one or more source types is found not to be in compliance with the applicable standard(s), documentation of noise source information shall be necessary. This will include, but not be limited to, the approximate location of all sources of each source type present and the microphone position on a diagram of the particular railroad facility, and the distances between the microphone location and each of the sources must be estimated and reported. Additionally, if other rail or non-rail noise sources are detected, they must be identified and similarly reported. (3) If it can be demonstrated that the validated L 90 90 90 [45 FR 1263, Jan. 4, 1980; 47 FR 14709, Apr. 6, 1982] § 201.28 Testing by railroad to determine probable compliance with the standard. (a) To determine whether it is probably complying with the regulation, and therefore whether it should institute noise abatement, a railroad may take measurements on its own property at locations that: (1) Are between the source and receiving property (2) Derive no greater benefit from shielding and other noise reduction features that does the receiving property; and (3) Otherwise meet the requirements of § 201.25. (b) Measurements made for this purpose should be in accordance with the appropriate procedures in § 201.26 or § 201.27. If the resulting level is less than the level stated in the standard, then there is probably compliance with the standard. (c) This procedure is set forth to assist the railroad in devising its compliance plan, not as a substantive requirement of the regulation.