The UIC Noise and Vibration Sector is pleased to announce the publication of the State-of-the-art report for on-board measurement systems developed under the Acoustics of Reprofiling and Onboard Monitoring of Rail Roughness (ACORD) Project.
Rail roughness is a key cause of rolling noise and directly impacts environmental compliance and maintenance costs. Uneven rail surfaces accelerate wear, increase vibration, and raise noise levels, leading to complaints and tighter regulations. For infrastructure managers, managing rail roughness involves not only complying with noise regulations but also extending the longevity of assets and enhancing grinding techniques and maintenance operations. This technical report highlights the growing role of on-board monitoring systems in understanding roughness evolution and optimising noise mitigation strategies worldwide.
Why is on-board monitoring important?
Unlike conventional monitoring methods that require track access and service interruption, on-board systems enable continuous, network-wide monitoring during normal operations, providing indirect roughness estimates through wheel-rail interaction data.
The report offers infrastructure managers, practitioners, and noise experts:
- A general overview of current practices
- Use cases, and benefits of on-board rail roughness monitoring systems
- Insights from ACORD partners across 14 countries
It demonstrates how on-board measurement systems support:
- Regulatory compliance
- Data-driven maintenance planning
- Operational efficiency
- Innovation in rail noise control
The document is available to UIC members and all interested stakeholders: State-of-the-art report for on-board measurement systems
The Sector wishes to extend a warm thanks to all ACORD project members and to VibraTec for their contribution.
If you have any questions or for further information, please contact us at noisevibration@uic.org.