Vibration and Noise Reduction
Reducing track and vehicle vibrations for a quieter and more efficient railway
Excessive vibrations and noise in rail systems can cause discomfort for passengers, damage infrastructure, and lead to higher maintenance costs. The RET4000 system from Parametric provides a solution by utilizing real-time monitoring and adaptive control to minimize these effects, ensuring a smoother and more pleasant ride.
How It Works:
- Real-time vibration analysis detects and tracks excessive oscillations
- Automatic damping control dynamically adjusts system responses
- Edge-based processing ensures immediate detection and reaction
Key Benefits:
- Extends infrastructure lifespan by reducing stress on tracks
- Enhances passenger experience with smoother and quieter rides
- Lowers long-term maintenance costs for railway operators

Understanding the Causes
Analysis of key factors in wheel-rail interaction and their impact on rail systems
Successful Case Studies
Our solution in action for optimal performance and efficiency
Intelligent Rail Maintenance
Sustainable noise reduction and material protection for quieter urban transit
The Cause of Vibrations and Noise in Rail Transport
Vibrations and noise in rail transport primarily result from the dynamic interaction between train wheels and rails. The key influencing factors include:
- Irregularities on wheel or rail surfaces can lead to uneven contact, causing vibrations and noise. This may result from wear, defects, or misalignments.
Conclusion: Understanding the causes of vibrations and noise in rail transport is crucial for a smooth, safe, and efficient railway system. Factors such as wheel-rail interaction, track irregularities, train speed, and structural resonance contribute to these challenges. If excessive vibrations are not addressed, they can lead to increased wear, structural damage, reduced passenger comfort, and rising maintenance costs. Therefore, continuous monitoring and optimization of wheel-rail dynamics are essential to minimize vibrations and enhance the overall performance of rail transport.
Challenge
In tram operations, the wheels often produce unpleasant noises when passing through curves, primarily due to insufficiently lubricated rails. However, efficient lubrication is not only a matter of noise reduction but also of environmental protection and resource conservation. The challenge lies in accurately predicting where and when lubrication is needed to minimize lubricant consumption while preventing wheel squealing.
Solution
Our solution combines Deep Learning and real-time data processing to optimize lubrication. Equipped with the RET4000 measuring device, which continuously records noise and vibration data during operation, and the RAR4000 edge computer, which analyzes this data, the system precisely determines when and where lubrication is required. This prediction is made possible by a deep-learning model that continuously improves by learning from the collected data.
Benefits
- Efficient Lubrication : The precise control of mobile grease pumps ensures that lubricant is applied only where needed, reducing material consumption and protecting the environment.
- Noise Reduction: Trams operate more quietly as their wheels remain optimally lubricated, preventing disruptive squeaking.
- Extended Lifespan: By minimizing rail wear, the system increases track longevity, leading to long-term cost savings.
System Architecture
Our solution is fully integrated into Bernmobil's infrastructure and utilizes an edge system to process data directly on-site. RET4000 measuring devices are installed in the trams, continuously collecting noise and vibration data. The collected data is transmitted to a central RAR4000 Edge Computer, which performs the necessary calculations and controls the grease pumps as needed. An LTE connection ensures real-time data transmission to a cloud database, where it is available for further analysis.
Components
- RET4000 Measuring Device: Continuously measures noise and vibration data.
- Mesh Network: Connects multiple devices if necessary.
- Microphones : Capture both internal and external noise.
- Vibration Sensors(optional): Provide additional vibration monitoring.
- LTE Connection: Enables remote access and real-time data transmission to the cloud.
- RAR4000 Edge Computer: Performs calculations and controls the grease pumps.
Detailed Views of the Solution in Action
Detailed Views of the Solution in Action
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Sustainable noise reduction and material protection for quieter urban transportation
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RET4000 Measuring Device
The RET4000 measuring device is part of the time-synchronized, mobile RET measurement system. It enables the acquisition of analog and digital values from external sensors.

RAR4000 Mobile Edge Computer
RAR4000 is a mobile edge computing platform that can be used as a gateway for Ethernet, mesh or mobile, as well as for control and monitoring tasks. The hardware is designed and certified for use in trains and buses.