railroad facility are deemed to be in compliance with this standard if the Aweighted sound level from stationary switcher locomotives, singly or in combination with other stationary locomotives, does not exceed 65 dB when measured with fast meter response at any receiving property measurement location near that particular railyard facility and when measured in accordance wtih Subpart C of this regulation. [45 FR 1263, Jan. 4, 1980; 47 FR 14709, Apr. 6, 1982]

§201.12 Standard for locomotive operation under moving conditions.

(a) Commencing December 31, 1976, no carrier subject to this regulation may operate any locomotive or combination of locomotives to which this regulation is applicable, and of which manufacture is completed on or before December 31, 1979, which produces Aweighted sound levels in excess of 96 dB when moving at any time or under any condition of grade, load, acceleration, or deceleration, when measured in accordance with the criteria specified in Subpart C of this regulation with fast meter response at 30 meters (100 feet) from the centerline of any section of track having less than a two (2) degree curve (or a radius of curvature greater than 873 meters (2865 feet)).

(b) No carrier subject to this regulation may operate any locomotive or combination of locomotives to which this regulation is applicable, and of which manufacture is completed after December 31, 1979, which produce Aweighted sound levels in excess of 90 dB when moving at any time or under any condition of grade, load, acceleration, or deceleration, when measured in accordance with the criteria specified in Subpart C of this part with fast meter response at 30 meters (100 feet) from the centerline of any section of track having less than a two (2) degree curve (or a radius of curvature greater than 873 meters (2,865 feet)).

(c) Commencing January 15, 1984, no carrier subject to this regulation may operate any switcher locomotive or a combination of switcher locomotives to which this regulation is applicable, and of which manufacture is completed on or before December 31, 1979 which produce A-weighted sound levels in ex

cess of 90 dB when moving at any time or under any condition of grade, load, acceleration or deceleration, and when measured in accordance with the criteria in Subpart C of this part with fast meter response at 30 meters (100 feet) from the centerline of any section of track having less than a two (2) degree curve (or a radius of curvature greater than 873 meters (2,865 feet)). All switcher locomotives that operate in a particular railroad facility are deemed to be in compliance with this standard if the A-weighted sound level from stationary switcher locomotives, singly or in combination with other stationary locomotives, does not exceed 65 dB when measured with fast meter response at any receiving property measurement location near that particular railyard facility and when measured in accordance with Subpart C of this regulation.

[45 FR 1263, Jan. 4, 1980; 47 FR 14709, Apr. 6, 1982]

§201.13 Standard for rail car operations.

Effective December 31, 1976, no carrier subject to this regulation shall operate any rail car or combination of rail cars which while in motion produce sound levels in excess of (1) 88 dB(A) at rail car speeds up to and including 75 km/hr (45 mph); or (2) 93 dB(A) at rail car speeds greater than 72 km/hr (45 mph); when measured in accordance with the criteria specified in Subpart C of this part with fast meter response at 30 meters (100) feet from the centerline of any section of track which is free of special track work or bridges or trestles and which exhibits less than a two (2) degree curve (or a radius of curvature greater than 873 meters (2,865 feet)).

[45 FR 1263, Jan. 4, 1980; 47 FR 14709, Apr. 6, 1982]

§201.14 Standard for retarders.

Effective January 15, 1984, no carrier subject to this regulation shall operate retarders that exceed an adjusted average maximum A-weighted sound level of 83 dB at any receiving property measurement location, when measured

Effective January 15, 1984, no carrier subject to this regulation shall conduct car coupling operations that exceed an adjusted average maximum A-weighted sound level of 92 dB at any receiving property measurement location, when measured with fast meter response in accordance with Subpart C of this part, except, such coupling will be found in compliance with this standard and the carrier will be considered in compliance, if the railroad demonstrates that the standard is exceeded at the receiving property measurement locations (where the standard was previously exceeded) when cars representative of those found to exceed the standard are coupled at similar locations at coupling speeds of eight miles per hour or less.

[45 FR 1263, Jan. 4, 1980; 47 FR 14709, Apr. 6, 1982]

§201.16 Standard for locomotive load cell test stands.

(a) Effective January 15, 1984, no carrier subject to this reguation shall operate locomotive load cell test stands that exceed an A-weighted sound level of 78 dB when measured with slow meter response in accordance with Subpart C of this part excluding §201.23 (b) and (c), at a point 30 meters (100 feet) from the geometric center of the locomotive undergoing test, along a line that is both perpendicular to the centerline of the track and originates at the locomotive geometric center, and in the direction most nearly towards the closest receiving property measurement location. All locomotive load cell test stands in a particular railroad facility are in compliance with this standard if the A-weighted sound level from the load cell does not exceed 65 dB at any receiving property measurement location near that particular railyard facility and when measured with fast meter response in accordance with Subpart C of this regulation.

(b) If the conditions of any part of §201.23(a) cannot be met at a specific

load cell test stand site, then the Aweighted sound level from that specific load cell test stand must not exceed 65 dB when measured with fast meter response at a receiving property measurement location more than 120 meters (400 feet) from the geometric center of the locomotive being tested and in accordance with Subpart C of this regulation.

[45 FR 1263, Jan. 4, 1980; 47 FR 14709, Apr. 6, 1982]

Subpart C-Measurement Criteria §201.20 Applicability and purpose.

The following criteria are applicable to and contain the necessary parameters and procedures for the measurement of the noise emission levels prescribed in the standards of Subpart B of this part. These criteria are specified in order to further clarify and define such standards. Equivalent measurement procedures may be used for establishing compliance with these regulations. Any equivalent measurement procedure, under any circumstance, shall not result in a more stringent noise control requirement than those specified in this regulation using the measurement procedures in Subpart C. §201.21 Quantities measured.

The quantities to be measured under the test conditions described below, are the A-weighted sound levels for "fast" or "slow" meter response as defined in the American National Standard S1.41971.

§201.23 Test site, weather conditions

and background noise criteria for measurement at a 30 meter (100 feet) distance of the noise from locomotive and rail car operations and locomotive load cell test stands. (a) The standard test site shall be such that the locomotive or train radiates sound into a free field over the ground plane. This condition may be considered fulfilled if the test site consists of an open space free of large, sound reflecting objects, such as barriers, hills, signboards, parked vehicles, locomotives or rail cars on adjacent tracks, bridges or buildings within the boundaries described by Figure 1, as well as conforms to the other requirements of this §201.23.

(b) Within the complete test site, the top of at least one rail upon which the locomotive or train is located shall be visible (line of sight) from a position 1.2 meters (4 feet) above the ground at

the microphone location, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section.

(c) Ground cover such as vegetation, fenceposts, small trees, telephone poles, etc., shall be limited within the area in the test site between the vehicle under test and the measuring microphone such that 80 percent of the top of at least one rail along the entire test section of track be visible from a position 1.2 meters (4 feet) above the ground at the microphone location; except that no single obstruction shall account for more than 5 percent of the total allowable obstruction.

(d) The ground elevation at the microphone location shall be within plus 1.5 meters (5 feet) or minus 3.0 meters (10 feet) of the elevation of the top of the rail at the location in-line with the microphone.

(e) Within the test site, the track shall exhibit less than a 2 degree curve or a radius of curvature greater than 873 meters (2,865 feet). This paragraph shall not apply during a stationary test. The track shall be tie and ballast, free of special track work and bridges or trestles.

(f) Measurements shall not be made during precipitation.

(g) The maximum A-weighted fast response sound level observed at the test site immediately before and after the test shall be at least 10 dB(A) below the level measured during the test. For the locomotive and rail car pass-by tests this requirement applies before and after the train containing the rolling stock to be tested has passed. This background sound level measurement shall include the contribution from the operation of the load cell, if any, including load cell contribution during test.

(h) Noise measurements may only be made if the measured wind velocity is 19.3 km/hr (12 mph) or less. Gust wind measurements of up to 33.2 km/hr (20 mph) are allowed.

$201.24 Procedures for measurement at a 30 meter (100 feet) distance of the noise from locomotive and rail car operations and locomotive load cell test stands.

(a) Microphone positions. (1) The microphone shall be located within the test site according to the specifications

given in the test procedures of paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this section, and shall be positioned 1.2 meters (4 feet) above the ground. It shall be oriented with respect to the source in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

(2) The observer shall not stand between the microphone and the source whose sound level is being measured.

(b) Stationary locomotive and locomotive load cell test stand tests. (1) For stationary locomotive and locomotive load cell test stand tests, the microphone shall be positioned on a line perpendicular to the track at a point 30 meters (100 feet) from the track centerline at the longitudinal midpoint of the locomotive.

(2) The sound level meter shall be observed for thirty seconds after the test throttle setting is established to assure operating stability. The maximum sound level observed during that time shall be utilized for compliance purposes.

(3) Measurement of stationary locomotive and locomotive load cell test stand noise shall be made with all cooling fans operating.

(c) Rail car pass-by test. (1) For rail car pass-by tests, the microphone shall be positioned on a line perpendicular to the track 30 meters (100 feet) from the track centerline.

(2) Rail car noise measurements shall be made when the locomotives have passed a distance 152.4 meters (500 feet) or 10 rail cars beyond the point at the intersection of the track and the line which extends perpendicularly from the track to the microphone location, providing any other locomotives are also at least 152.4 meters (500 feet) or 10 rail car lengths away from the measuring point. The maximum sound level observed in this manner which exceeds the noise levels specified in §201.13 shall be utilized for compliance purposes.

(3) Measurements shall be taken on reasonably well maintained tracks.

(4) Noise levels shall not be recorded if brake squeal is present during the test measurement.

(d) Locomotive pass-by test. (1) For 10comotive pass-by tests, the microphone shall be positioned on a line perpendicular to the track at a point 30 meters (100 feet) from the track centerline.

(2) The noise level shall be measured as the locomotive approaches and passes by the microphone location. The maximum noise level observed during this period shall be utilized for compliance purposes.

(3) Measurements shall be taken on reasonably well maintained tracks.

§201.25 Measurement weather conditions

location and for measurement on receiving property of the noise of retarders, car coupling, locomotive load cell test stands, and stationary locomotives.

(a) Measurements must be conducted only at receiving property measurement locations.

(b) Measurement locations on receiving property must be selected such that no substantially vertical plane surface, other than a residential or commercial unit wall or facility boundary noise barrier, that exceeds 1.2 meters (4 feet) in height is located within 10 meters (33.3 feet) of the microphone

and that no exterior wall of a residential or commercial structure is located within 2.0 meters (6.6 feet) of the microphone. If the residential structure is a farm home, measurements must be made 2.0 to 10.0 meters (6.6 to 33.3 feet) from any exterior wall.

(c) No measurement may be made when the average wind velocity during the period of measurement exceeds 19.3 km/hr (12 mph) or when the maximum wind gust velocity exceeds 32.2 km/hr (20 mph).

(d) No measurement may be taken when precipitation, e.g., rain, snow, sleet, or hail, is occurring.