DEVELOPMENT OF THE MUNICIPAL NOISE-ABSORBING SCREEN AND TEST SECTION CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

The article presents the development and construction technology of the Municipal noise-absorbing screen (MNAS) – in Czech "Mestská protihluková clona" (MPHC). The Municipal noise-absorbing screen is a new acoustical element developed in cooperation of the Department of Railway Structures, Faculty of Civil Engineering, CTU in Prague and the Montstav CZ s.r.o. Company. It is characterised by very small dimensions – its height is only ca 0.3 metre above the top of rail. The element serves to attenuate the noise induced by rail traffic arising at the wheel-rail contact. The Municipal noise-absorbing screen consists of individual, mutually interlocked units, placed one after another, made of bound recycled rubber. The article describes the major limiting conditions for the placement, shape and execution of the Municipal noise-absorbing screen. It also describes the construction of the test section situated on a tram track in Prague and sums up the experience obtained after the first year of operation.