This European Standard specifies a method for characterizing the dynamic behaviour of the structure of a track relative to its contribution to the sound radiation associated with the rolling noise.

This European Standard describes a method for:
a) acquiring data on mechanical frequency response functions on a track;
b) processing measurement data in order to calculate an estimate of the vibration decay rates along the rails in an audible frequency range associated with the rolling noise;
c) presenting this estimate for comparison with the lower limits of the decay rates.

It is applicable for evaluating the performance of sections of reference tracks for measuring railway vehicle noise within the framework of official approval tests.

The method is not applicable for characterizing the vibration behaviour of tracks on loadbearing structures such as bridges or embankments.