UIC Presents ACORD Noise Management Findings at TRA 2026

The International Union of Railways (UIC) showcased the latest developments from its ACORD project at the Transport Research Arena conference held in Budapest in May 2026. The project, which brings together 14 infrastructure managers from across the European network, focuses on acoustic monitoring and reconstruction of rail roughness.

Central to the initiative is a railway noise simulation model that integrates wheel-rail interaction parameters with measured roughness data. This approach enables more accurate prediction of pass-by noise levels and supports targeted maintenance planning. ACORD is currently advancing two International Railway Solutions (IRS) documents: a technical guideline for on-board measurement systems for acoustic rail roughness, and a quality index for grinding operations to assess the acoustic effectiveness of rail reprofiling.

Industry Direction – Integrated Design Approaches

Beyond the specific outputs of ACORD, the broader trend evident at TRA 2026 points toward convergence. Rather than addressing vibration isolation, seismic resilience, and noise abatement as separate disciplines, the industry is moving toward unified design frameworks that treat all three within a single system architecture. This shift is particularly visible in urban metro projects and high-speed corridors where environmental constraints are most stringent.

Material Innovation and Active Control

Parallel to this integration trend, research attention is turning to smart materials and active control strategies. Magnetorheological elastomers, adaptive tuned mass dampers, and semi-active suspension concepts were among the topics featured in technical sessions. These approaches offer the prospect of real-time adjustment to changing track conditions and load spectra, moving beyond passive solutions that are fixed at installation.

Changmei Technology's Commitment

Changmei Technology has maintained a sustained focus on identifying and developing advanced materials for vibration and noise reduction across the rail sector. Our work with polyurethane vibration damping underlayment has demonstrated consistent performance in floating slab applications, providing controlled impedance between the track structure and the supporting substrate. Our rail vibration damper portfolio addresses both wheel-rail contact noise and structure-borne vibration, with product configurations tailored to different track forms and operational speeds.

We continue to evaluate emerging compound formulations and composite constructions, working with research institutions and line operators to validate performance under real-world loading conditions. Our objective remains the delivery of comprehensive vibration and noise control solutions that address the full transmission path from source to receiver—whether the requirement is for new-build lines or retrofit installations on existing infrastructure.

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