Noise protection is not one-size-fits-all.
What works along a regional road might fail when trains speed past at over 300 km/h. High-speed lines place radically different demands on every component – especially on noise barriers.
Pressure–suction shifts, vibrations, turbulent airflow – these forces act with every passing train. For a sense of how extreme they are, take a look at the shock absorbers used in Japan’s Shinkansen trains:
🎥 Shinkansen damping system – YouTube
While rolling stock has evolved to handle these dynamics, barrier systems often lag behind. Lightweight structures are especially vulnerable – they can deform, fail at connection points, or collapse entirely.
CALMA-TEC: Ahead of its time – and still leading today
CALMA-TEC has spent a significant effort developing effective noise protection systems – not just acoustically, but also structurally. As early as 2007, we analyzed the effects of aerodynamic stress along high-speed railways and developed a system specifically designed to handle them. The blog image shows a footage from the tests performed in Germany.
Our solution features a torsion-flexible structural concept, which safely absorbs dynamic forces.
It is elastically damped, reducing vibration and minimizing long-term fatigue. The system is robust and installation-friendly, making it both reliable in operation and practical on-site. And most importantly, it received official approval from the German Federal Railway Authority (EBA).
A challenge that keeps growing – now also internationally
A 2007 technical paper presented at the D-A-CH Railway Engineering Conference (link see at the end) highlighted the limitations of conventional lightweight systems on high-speed lines. The risks were clearly described – and yet, the issue remains underappreciated in many markets.
Now, we’re seeing growing interest from abroad. In the United Kingdom, projects like HS1 and HS2 face the same physical realities – and we’re receiving inquiries from engineering firms and infrastructure partners seeking proven, reliable solutions.
Expertise you don’t have to reinvent
At CALMA-TEC, we design noise protection systems that address real-world complexity. Whether it’s raising the performance of existing walls, protecting dense residential areas, or delivering solutions for high-speed transport corridors – we combine acoustic effectiveness with structural resilience.
Noise protection isn’t just a product. It’s a responsibility.
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