Sources of Noise Pollution in Mashhad Railway Station

Background: Exposure to noise is an important safety and health problem in many industries. The rail transport industry is one of the industries involved with this problem due to the variety of equipment and its scope.  The present study aimed to evaluate noise pollution and determine the sources of noise at Mashhad railway station. Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study in 2014, the departments with noise pollution were identified and studied based on an initial assessment of all parts of the railway station. Noise was measured in ten departments and units. The environmental and local noise was measured by calibrated sound level meter Model CEL485 in A and C networks according to ISO9612 and ISO 11200 standards. Then the collected data entered and analyzed in Surfer V.10 and Excel software. Results: The results of noise measurement showed that the average sound pressure level in units of Diesel GM, repair shop, refueling station, Diesel Siemens, and platform 3 was in hazard range. The results of measurement of the average sound pressure level in departments and units and the isosonic mappings drawn by Surfer V.10 software as well as the results of the average noise level in GM diesel showed that GM diesel (with LP=87.60 dB (A)) is the main source of noise at Mashhad railway station. The results of this study showed that diesel engines, gearboxes, moving trains, and beeps are the main noise generator components in GM diesel. The highest mean sound pressure level among these components was related to the diesel engine with an average sound pressure level of 87.60 dB (A). In general, the average sound pressure level of this diesel was 95.45 dB in the dominant frequency of 63 Hz. Conclusion: Based on the result of this study, GM diesel plays a major role in transporting at Mashhad railway station, accordingly the design and implementation of technical control measures such as chamber and enclosure of noise generator components are essential to reduce the average sound pressure level.