[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR210.33]
[Page 63-64]
TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
PART 210--RAILROAD NOISE EMISSION COMPLIANCE REGULATIONS--Table of Contents
Subpart B--Inspection and Testing
Sec. 210.33 Operation standards (switcher locomotives, load cell test stands, car coupling operations, and retarders).
(a) Measurement on receiving property of the noise emission levels
from switcher locomotives, load cell test stands, car coupling
operations, and retarders shall be performed in accordance with the
requirements of 40 CFR part 201 and Sec. 210.25 of this part.
(b) These sources shall be considered in noncompliance whenever the
test measurement, minus the appropriate tolerance (Sec. 210.25), exceeds
the noise emission levels prescribed in appendix A of this part.
Appendix A to Part 210--Summary of Noise Standards, 40 CFR Part 201
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noise
standard--
A weighted
Paragraph and section Noise source sound Noise measure \1\ Measurement location
level in
dB
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Locomotives
Manufactured on or
Before 31 December
1979
201.11(a).................. Stationary, Idle 73 Lmax (slow)............ 30 m (100 ft)
Throttle Setting.
201.11(a).................. Stationary, All Other 93 ......do............... Do.
Throttle Settings.
201.12(a).................. Moving................ 96 Lmax (fast)............ Do.
All Locomotives
Manufactured After 31
December 1979
201.11(b).................. Stationary, Idle 70 Lmax (slow)............ Do.
Throttle Setting.
201.11(b).................. Stationary, All Other 87 ......do............... Do.
Throttle Settings.
201.12(b).................. Moving................ 90 Lmax (fast)............ Do.
201.11(c) and 201.12(c).... Additional Requirement 65 L90 (fast) \2\......... Receiving property
for Switcher
Locomotives
Manufactured on or
Before 31 December
1979 Operating in
Yards Where
Stationary Switcher
and other Locomotive
Noise Exceeds the
Receiving Property
Limit of.
201.11(c).................. Stationary, Idle 70 Lmax (slow)............ 30 m (100 ft)
Throttle Setting.
201.11(c).................. Stationary, All Other 87 ......do............... Do.
Throttle Settings.
201.12(c).................. Moving................ 90 Lmax (fast)............ Do.
Rail Cars
201.13(1).................. Moving at Speeds of 45 88 ......do............... Do.
mph or Less.
201.13(2).................. Moving at Speeds 93 ......do............... Do.
Greater than 45 mph.
Other Yard Equipment
and Facilities
201.14..................... Retarders............. 83 Ladjavemax (fast)...... Receiving property
201.15..................... Car-Coupling 92 ......do............... Do.
Operations.
201.16..................... Locomotive Load Cell 65 L90 (fast) \2\......... Do.
Test Stands, Where
the Noise from
Locomotive Load Cell
Operations Exceeds
the Receiving
Property Limits of.
201.16(a).................. Primary Standard...... 78 Lmax (slow)............ 30 m (100 ft).
201.16(b).................. Secondary Standard if 65 L90 (fast)............. Receiving property
30-m Measurement Not located more than 120
Feasible. m from Load Cell.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Lmax=Maximum sound level; L90=Statistical sound level exceeded 90% of the time; Ladjavemax=Adjusted average
maximum sound level.
\2\ L90 must be validated by determining that L10-L99 is less than or equal to 4dB (A).
[48 FR 56758, Dec. 23, 1983; 49 FR 1521, Jan. 12, 1984]
Appendix B to Part 210--Switcher Locomotive Enforcement Policy
The EPA standards require that the noise emissions from all switcher
locomotives in a particular facility be less than prescribed levels
measured at 30 meters, under all operating modes. This requirement is
deemed to be met unless ``receiving property'' noise due to switcher
locomotives exceeds 65 dB(A), when measured in accordance with subpart C
of 40 CFR part 201. The 65 dB(A) receiving property standard is the
``trigger'' for requiring the 30-meter test of switcher locomotives.
[[Page 64]]
The purpose underlying FRA's enforcement of the noise standards is
to reduce the impact of rail operations noise on receiving properties.
In some instances, measures other than the 30-meter test approach may
more effectively reduce the noise levels at receiving properties;
therefore, FRA enforcement efforts will focus on abatement procedures
that will achieve a reduction of receiving property noise levels to less
than 65 dB(A).
For example, a parked, idling locomotive, even if equipped with
exhaust silencing that meets the stationary locomotive standard (30-
meter test), may cause the receiving property standard to be exceeded if
located on trackage adjacent to the receiving property. In that case,
application of the 30-meter test to other switcher locomotives at the
facility may not serve to reduce the receiving property noise level. On
the other hand, operational changes by the railroad could significantly
reduce receiving property noise levels. In such case, FRA would consider
retesting after abatement measures have been taken. If the receiving
property noise level is below the trigger and the abatement action is
adopted, FRA would not make a 30-meter test of the switcher locomotives
at the facility.