The objectives of SILENT FREIGHT are to develop a number of innovative technical solutions to be applied to existing freight rolling stock, and also to future wagons, allowing to reach, together with a combined action on track, a global reduction of noise emitted by the train/track system by about 10 dB(A). The cost of implementing these solutions, by retrofit on existing wagons, or from building stage for new ones, must remain reasonable, that means compatible with the economical requests imposed by a highly competitive context.
Work will include development of investigation and simulation tools, design and validation of solutions, with a strong emphasis on the optimisation of the wheel design and on solutions integrated in the superstructure to provide shielding and reduce emission of the wagons. It will be concluded by a joint demonstration exercise coordinated with SILENT TRACK where prototype solutions for wagons and track will be tested simultaneously, showing achievable noise reduction and allowing an extensive validation of new models. Guidelines will also been produced, in view of standardisation and of defining a policy for the implementation of low-noise design in Europe.