Screetching noise is the #1 complaint of BART riders. So what are the noise requirements for the “next-generation” car order?
We received a lot of feedback from the public asking that we make the new fleet quieter than the old cars. As a result, BART will be requiring the carbuilder to meet the highest standards in the United States regarding train car interior noise and noise absorption.
One has to wonder what exactly is meant by “highest standards in the US” given that BART’s own PR department believe they already run the quietest in the nation:
The National Academy of Sciences’ Transit Research Board sponsored an independent study in the 1990s to look at rail sound. The study concluded, “With trued wheels and smooth ground rail on ballast and ties, BART is one of the quietest vehicles in operation at U.S. transit systems.” BART Chief Communications Officer Linton Johnson said that according to the report, “You’d be hard pressed to find a quieter system” anywhere in America.
Just a suggestion, but why not require noise levels meet the highest global standards? Or at least quantify the sustained decibel level riders can expect in the transbay tube with the new cars.
I think the problem is that BART trains don’t generally have perfectly trued wheels, and the track is not generally smoothly ground. The noise really is pretty terrible, compared to many other rail system, both in the trains and for miles around them. I don’t know what the problem is: do BART trains not use tread brakes and thus not get the micro-truing that those inherently provide? Does BART not grind their rails often enough? Do they just have track geometry problems, because of the non-standard gauge? In any case, it’s not entirely due to not having enough soundproofing in the trains, because there’s definitely a lot more noise outside the trains too.
The noise level is ridiculous. Especially when considering the huge costs of a BART car + BART infrastructure.
Strangely, BART noise has fallen on my list of complaints after a few years of frequent riding. Im probably just going deaf.
My understanding was that BART simply isnt keeping up with rail grinding on non-elevated segments. Is this the case? I had read that they were buying a new rail grinding machine to deal with this issue, but I do not know what the ETA was on it.
The study of sound was in the 1990s. Did BART screech like this back then?
BART is horribly noisy, I remember in particular the underground stretch south of 24th street Mission. Even on Boston’s screechy old Green Line it does not get this bad, at least, not inside the vehicles.
I lived over a decade in an old European capital city (Vienna) with a great modern subway and I don’t recall ever needing to cover my ears while riding. Conversations were possible without screaming. BART, on the other hand, is terribly noisy. I love riding BART and it is efficient and reliable but the screeching sounds are terrible. I am neither a lawyer or a litigious person, but it seems like the public may have grounds to file a class action suit due to hearing loss from all the screeching.
SFChron measured BART noise at 100dB
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Noise-on-BART-How-bad-is-it-and-is-it-harmful-3175757.php
It is simply not true that this is quiet or the quietest.
It is likely that regular riders are suffering permanent hearing damage.
I use serious hearing protection on my BART commute.