Annoyance due to high-speed train noise: Index testing and annoyance model based on noise sensitivity

In the context of climate change and transportation decarbonization efforts, railway noise annoyance has emerged as a significant concern, particularly when high-speed trains operate at high speed. Despite the growing importance of this issue, the literature reveals few studies specifically addressing noise annoyance due to high-speed rail traffic. The literature reveals a lack of consensus regarding factors influencing noise annoyance due to high-speed trains (e.g., frequency content, number of trains), as well as specific indices to complement the long-term index, the day-evening-night level, LDEN. The current study aimed to contribute to the identification of acoustical factors associated with high-speed train noise annoyance. To achieve this objective, short-term noise annoyance was assessed in laboratory conditions by subjecting 32 participants to high-speed train pass-by noises previously recorded in field. Short-term A-weighted sound pressure level indices appear to be the most relevant indicators of noise annoyance due to high-speed trains but with no significant differences among them when tested in multilevel regression annoyance models. Noise sensitivity emerged as a more substantial contributor to noise annoyance models compared to these indices. The results highlighted the need of studies to specifically assess noise annoyance due to high-speed trains.