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Railroad Tab

Information on the calculation options for the following standards or guidelines for industry can be found in the German version of the CadnaA reference manual:

  • ONR 305011 (Austria)
  • DIN 18005 (1987, Germany)
  • Semibel (Switzerland)

Table „Propagation Models Railroad“

The subsequent table lists the main characteristics of the propagation models for railroad noise as treated in the chapters explaining the configuration options. A special focus is put to the type of modeling being used for the various attenuating effects in sound propagation.

No Option or Propagation Effect Standard / Guideline
Schall 03 (1990) Schall 03 (2014) Nordic (1996) CRN SRM II NMPB-Fer (1996) NMPB-Fer (2008) FTA/FRA CNOSSOS-EU
1 calculation using A-weighted levels yes yes yes yes yes see NMPB-Fer 1996 yes yes yes
2 spectral calculation no yes yes no yes(63 to 8000 Hz) as above yes (1/3 octaves, 100 to 5000 Hz) no yes (octaves 63 Hz to 8 kHz, + 31.5 Hz
3 geometrical attenuation (divergence) half sphere (2π r2) with directivity full sphere (4π r2) with directivity full sphere (4π r2) in CadnaA: segmented line source segmented line source (distance & viewing angle) as above point source propagation (4π r2) in CadnaA: segmented line source point source propagation (4π r2)
4 attenuation by air absorption yes (according to VDI 2714) using air absorption accord. to ISO 9613-1 yes (for 15°C, 70% RH) not considered yes (10°C, 80%), option: ISO 9613-2 as above acc. ISO 9613-1 (for 15°C, 70%) not considered yes (acc. to ISO 9613-1)
5 handling of ground reflections not by image sources, but by an algorithm considering ground attenuation and meteorological effects in common (see below) as above algorithmic, not by image sources algorithmic, not by image sources algorithmic, not by image sources as above algorithmic, not by image sources algorithmic, not by image sources algorithmic incl. ground absorp.
6 handling of reflections at obstacles just up to 1st order, higher orders applying a „Correction for multiple Reflections“, optionally: calculation to up 20th order, condition for reflection considers obstacle’s size and absorption coefficient/reflection loss of the reflector as above, by default up to 3rd order (accord. to Sch03 2014) or up to 20th order see Schall 03 (1990) using a global correction, optional in CadnaA: using image sources using image sources, absorption coeff./reflection loss of reflector as above no mult. reflect. correction by default, optional in CadnaA using image sources, absorption coeff./reflection loss of reflector yes
7 attenuation due to ground effect (ground attenuation) for A-weighted levels (not applying ground factor G) alternative procedure (for A-weighted levels) accord. to ISO 9613-2 (1996), deviating calculation procedure for water surfaces complies with spectral ground attenuation model of ISO 9613-2 (1996) empirical correction spectral ground attenuation model applying ground factor G (similar to ISO 9613-2 (1996)) as above spectral model (for favorable: ISO 9613-2(1996), for homogeneous specific) using ground factor G, in CadnaA: average height (acc. ISO 9613-2(1996)) homogeneous & favorable conditions using ground factor G
8 attenuation due to screening (at objects) single and double diffraction based on the path length difference of the direct path via the obstacle, screening effect does not depend on wavelength (as just for A-weighted levels), negative path difference cause no screening
REMARK: „acoustical Transparency“ of buildings not available
single & double diffraction using path difference, ray across obstacle w/o ground absorp., barrier attenuation depending on wavelength concept of effective height based on path length difference, negative path difference causes screening concept of effective height as above based on path length difference based on path length difference and source height single & double diffr., includes ground effect, using image source method
9 handling of lateral diffraction not considered, in CadnaA optionally available with lateral diffr. (using two lat. paths + direct path) not considered not considered not considered as above not expressively considered not considered not considered (for the time being)
10 handling of multiple obstacles in ray path based on the path length difference of the direct path across all obstacles („ribbon band method“) in CadnaA: applies „rubber band method“ to calculate path difference using the most efficient screen based on path length difference concept of equivalent screens (instead of multiple diffraction) as above via path length difference see Schall 03 (1990) via path length difference (convex hull)
11 attenuation due to screening (terrain) screening by terrain not treated explicitly. In CadnaA the algorithm for multiple screening objects is applied. as above as with multiple screens as with multiple screens as with multiple screens (no lateral diffraction) as above as with multiple screens see Schall 03 (1990) see ISO 9613-2
12 handling of meteorological effects (wind) not treated explicitly (meteorological correction is part of the screening calculation), optional: application of Cmet accord. to ISO 9613-2, with calculations acc. to VBUSch: applies Cmet with C0,D/E/N=2/1/0 dB no not available not available available using Cm (upper limit 3.5 dB), optional: Cmet acc. to ISO 9613-2 as above using occurrences of homogeneous and favorable propagation conditions not considered for homogeneous & favorable prop. cond., energetic addition
13 attenuation due to foliage without screening calculation, but based on the length of the curved ray path (arc of a circle) passing through the foliage (with height h) assuming a radius of 5 km not available available not available not available as above not available in CadnaA not available not available
14 attenuation due to built-up areas not considered, in CadnaA optionally accord. to VDI 2714 not available available not available not available as above not available in CadnaA not available not available

Table „Obstacles and Special-Objects“

A further table describes the properties of obstacles and special-objects in CadnaA with each propagation model.

No Object Type/ Option Standard / Guideline
Schall 03 (1990) Schall 03 (2014) Nordic (1996) CRN SRM II NMPB-Fer (1996) NMPB-Fer (2008) FTA/FRA CNOSSOS-EU
1 building single & multiple diffraction using shortest path difference, no lateral diffraction by default, no reflection or by absorption coefficient/reflection loss, no acoustical transparency see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see NMPB-routes (1996), Road Tab see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990), but for homogeneous & favorable conditions
2 cylinder single & multiple diffraction using shortest path difference, no lateral diffraction by default, no reflection or by input of absorption coefficient/reflection loss, reflection up to 1st order see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) as above see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) for homogeneous & favorable conditions
3 barrier single & multiple diffraction using shortest path difference, no lateral diffraction by default, no reflection or by absorption coefficient/reflection loss see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) as above see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990), but for homog. & favorable cond.
4 floating barrier no diffraction via the lower edge (screening edge without diffraction), otherwise see barrier see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) as above see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990)
5 barrier with cantilever cantilever is totally absorbing (no reflection), calculation of the path length difference valid for receivers/grid points outside and below the cantilever, otherwise see barrier not available not available (due to „effective height“ concept) available, using path length difference not available (due to „effective height“ concept) as above not available not available (just for vertical barriers) see Schall 03 (1990)
6 bridge plate diffraction as a horizontal plate only (inclined plate approximated to horiz. plate), screening occurs for sources above the bridge plate (diffraction downwards), no reflection at bridge plate see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) as above see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990)
7 embankment acts as a double barrier, diffraction for direct path (no lateral diffraction), no absorptive/reflective properties, NOTE: The embankment is not considered in the triangulation! see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) as above see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990)
8 ground absorption area not relevant (generalized ground attenuation) areas with G=0 assumed to represent water surfaces yes, freq. dependent using ground factor G (as in ISO 9613-2, section 7.3.1) empirical ground correction (chart) freq. dependent using ground factor G (see ISO 9613-2(1996), sect. 7.3.1) as above using ground factor G (for favorable and homogeneous) using ground factor G, averaging with multiple ground absorption areas yes, using ground factor G (for favorable and homogeneous)
9 built-up area/foliage not relevant by default, optionally accord. to VDI 2714 optionally accord. to ISO 9613-2 built-up area by sound dispersion (NPM), foliage: via path length with heff not available not available as above not available not available in CadnaA (for the time being) no effect
10 3D-reflector screening based on shortest path difference, two lateral paths, no reflection or by absorption coeff./reflection loss, reflection up to 1st order, no summation of diffraction via multiple edges, no multiple diffraction see Schall 03 (1990) not available (due to „effective height“ concept) see Schall 03 (1990) not available (due to „effective height“ concept) as above see Schall 03 (1990) not available (just for vertical barriers) see Schall 03 (1990)
11 self screening additional feature in CadnaA: causes screening effect downwards, additional with left/right available (fixed to the road, screening just for the own road source) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) as above see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990)
12 additional width/parapet L/R parapet left/right available, parapet length can be restricted using station marks, additional width just for ground absorption with no effect with Schall03 see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) as above see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990) see Schall 03 (1990)