Swedish railway network is old, it is in need for maintenance and there is an ever-increasing volume oftraffic on todays railroads. Special trackwork component has taken increased abuse, leading to a stop intrain traffic and many delays occur, especially during the winter season. The most sensitive parts of therailway network are turnout frogs and they require the most maintenance and cause delays. Therefore, TheSwedish Transport Administration is planning to investigate and introduce a new type av railwayswitches, called flange bearing technology. Flange bearing frogs and diamonds are already in use in USand there are already benefits in both reduced maintenance and increased life expectancy and possiblyreduced noise level.Therefore, this bachelor thesis is investigating flange bearing technology with an accent on sound levelmeasurement. It is studied how flange bearing frogs works and how they differ from conventional treadbearing frogs. In addition, there is a field study with sound level measurement and interviews withemployees at The Swedish Transport Administration. Furthermore, it is investigated how flange bearingtechnology is used in US. This bachelor thesis is limited to a field research with sound level measurement,interviews, and a theoretical description of railway switches. Field study is located at a flange bearingfrog, station Globen-Gullmarsplan in Stockholm. This flange bearing frog is used as a connection betweenthe tram railway and the metro railway.Flange bearing technology has a simpler design compared to conventional tread bearing frogs. This simpledesign can provide benefits by reducing vertical dynamic loads. Flange bearing means that unsupportedflangeway gap is eliminated from the running surface of the frog. For that reason, there is no speedreduction on the main track. Conventional tread bearing frogs have unsupported flangeway gap thatwheels must cross.Field study at Globen-Gullmarsplan was carried out with the help of a sound level meter and it wasperformed eight measurements at both flange bearing frog and conventional tread bearing frog. This studyshows that flange bearing frogs causes less noise than conventional tread bearing frog. Interviews showsthat The Swedish transport Administration is working to reduce noise interference from rail traffic andthat flange bearing technology can be a good solution for achieving lower noise level. However, moreresearch is required about maintenance, comfort, cost, and life expectancy of flange bearing technology.

<p>This report is written on commission by WSP Acoustics. The report studies the outdoor sound levels on school yards in Stockholm. The questions given by the company to be answered was what are the actual sound levels at diffrent school yards with low traffic noise and how can you construct a facade element that reduces the sound level from the outside and meet the indoor requirements. Mesurements for four hours was done at eight schools set north and south of the city centre. The measurement period included one school break and one lunch break. The results of the measurements were that the equivalent and maximum sound level had small variations between the schools with some exceptions.The equivalent sound level was Leq 58-62 dB(A) and this shows a small variation. The school with the highest equivalent sound level of 67 dB was Maria skolan. This high level can be explained by more children on the school yard together at the same time etc. The maximum sound level was 85-89 dB(A), this if the level for Sofia skolan 82 dB was ignored. The level 85-89 dB(A) also shows a small variation. Calculations of the sound reduction index (R'w) for facade elements were also carried out for all the schools. The resulting sound reduction index for the whole facade was 34-41 dB. After assuming a 200 mm thick concrete facade for Sjöstadsskolan another calculation of building elements gives that the window have to reduce R'w 32 dB to meet the indoor requirements. In the future WSP Acoustics will use this report to choose building elements such as windows when building or rebuilding schools. It can also be used if any of the eight schools in this report needs a window changed to improve the acoustics.</p>

This report is written on commission by WSP Acoustics. The report studies the outdoor sound levels on school yards in Stockholm. The questions given by the company to be answered was what are the actual sound levels at diffrent school yards with low traffic noise and how can you construct a facade element that reduces the sound level from the outside and meet the indoor requirements. Mesurements for four hours was done at eight schools set north and south of the city centre. The measurement period included one school break and one lunch break. The results of the measurements were that the equivalent and maximum sound level had small variations between the schools with some exceptions.The equivalent sound level was Leq 58-62 dB(A) and this shows a small variation. The school with the highest equivalent sound level of 67 dB was Maria skolan. This high level can be explained by more children on the school yard together at the same time etc. The maximum sound level was 85-89 dB(A), this if the level for Sofia skolan 82 dB was ignored. The level 85-89 dB(A) also shows a small variation. Calculations of the sound reduction index (R'w) for facade elements were also carried out for all the schools. The resulting sound reduction index for the whole facade was 34-41 dB. After assuming a 200 mm thick concrete facade for Sjöstadsskolan another calculation of building elements gives that the window have to reduce R'w 32 dB to meet the indoor requirements. In the future WSP Acoustics will use this report to choose building elements such as windows when building or rebuilding schools. It can also be used if any of the eight schools in this report needs a window changed to improve the acoustics.

Purpose: This degree project has investigated the problems Södra Källtorp has with noise due to the nearby highway E18. The purpose of this work is to investigate whether Södra Källtorp meets the guideline values and also whether the implemented noise protection measures in the neighbourhood have caused a change regarding the noise level. Method: The method for carrying out this degree project consisted of a literature study and a case study. The case study was carried out through own measurements and calculations. Four measuring points were chosen. The first two are located in Södra Källtorp and are covered by the noise protection, while the last two are not covered by any noise protection and are located in Råby. Based on the measurement results, the daily equivalent sound level was calculated based on the annual average daily traffic for each measurement point. In addition, interviews were held in order to get a picture of the noise experience among the residents in the neighbourhood. Results: According to the measurement results, the daily equivalent sound level was 55 dBA and the daily maximum sound level 61 dBA for measuring point M1. For measuring point M2, the daily equivalent sound level was 46 dBA while the daily maximum sound level was 53 dBA. Measuring point U1 had a higher noise level than measuring point M1 and measuring point U2 had a higher noise level than measuring point M2. Conclusions: Conclusions that can be drawn are that the noise protection measures have made a change regarding the noise level in Södra Källtorp and that the noise levels in Södra Källtorp do not exceed the guideline values. However, most noise levels that occur in the neighbourhood are not approved according to WHO. More noise protection measures may need to be taken in the future in order to meet WHO’s recommendations.

Baigiamajame darbe atliktas ausies įdėklų gamybos netikslumų įtakos garso parametrams tyrimas. Išanalizuoti mokslo darbai, kuriuose pateikiami eksperimentų su ausies įdėklais rezultatai, apžvelgtos įdėklų gamybos technologijos ir galimi netikslumai. Atlikti eksperimentiniai garso parametrų tyrimai su skirtingais 9 įdėklais naudojant klausos analizatorių. Atlikta statistinė ir palyginamoji matavimo rezultatų analizė. Nustatyti garso parametrų skirtingiems įdėklams kitimo intervalai, pateiktos priklausomybės, suformuluotos išvados. / In final thesis the influence of manufacturing inaccuracy of earmoulds to sound parameters was analysed. Scientific works exploring results of experiments with earmoulds were discussed and technological process is as well as inaccuracy of earmoulds were presented. Experimental study of sound parameters with different 9 types of earmoulds were made by using hearing analyzer device. A statistical and comparable analysis of the data is given. The intervals of sound parameters to different earmoulds types are determined as well as dependencies of them are presented and results of the final work are concluded. Structure: introduction, the analytical parts of the test object experiments, conclusions and suggestions, bibliographic sources.

Išskirtini paprastų geometrinių formų triukšmo šaltinių (TŠ) tipai – taškinis ir ilginis, tačiau yra didelių ir įvairių geometrinių formų ir dydžių lauko įrenginių, kurių skleidžiamą akustinę taršą reikia numatyti ar apskaičiuoti sąlyginai artimuose taškuose. Darbo tikslas – ištirti gamybinio objekto teritorijoje paskirstytų nevienodos garso galios ir skirtingų geometrinių formų bei dydžių lauko įrenginių įtaką akustinės taršos lygiui. Didelių geometrinių dydžių triukšmo šaltinių triukšmo sklaida bendram garso slėgio lygiui LpA (dBA) įtakos (KP) turi tik artimuose taškuose, lyginant su triukšmo šaltinio matmenimis (3:2). Didžiausią įtaką (-3 dBA) 5 m atstumu turi cilindrinio (ilginio) tipo triukšmo šaltinis. Tolimesniuose atstumuose (~40 m) triukšmo šaltinio geometriniai dydis ir forma įtakos neturi ir galima taikyti akustinės galios ir taršos lygio tarpusavio ryšio priklausomybes. Tuomet akustinės taršos lygis priklauso tik nuo atstumo R ir kinta 1/R2 dėsniu, kas įrodyta eksperimentiniais tyrimais. Gyvenvietėje akustinės taršos lygiai ženkliai viršija (5 dBA) leistinuosius lygius. Gautąsias ryšio tarp aplinkos akustinės taršos ir gamybinio objekto triukšmo šaltinio galios priklausomybes galima panaudoti kartografavimui. / There are two types of noise sources of ordinary geometrical forms – point and line sources, but there are many outside facilities of different and vast geometrical forms as well, whose acoustic pollution needs to be predicted and calculated conditionally in a very similar way. Work objective – to survey the impact of different forms and sizes outside facilities and of different sound capacity around industrial territory for the level of acoustic pollution. The emanation of noise sources of vast geometrical sizes has the impact (Kp) for the general sound pressure level only in close points, in comparison with the noise source measurements (3:2) The biggest impact (-3 dBA) in the distance of 5 metres has cylindrical (line type) noise source. In the bigger distances (like 40 meters) geometrical form and size of noise source has no impact and it is possible to apply acoustic capacity and noise pollution inter-connections. So, acoustic pollution level depends on the distance R and changes on 1/R² law, which is proven by experiments. In the township acoustic pollution levels exceeds dramatically (5 dBA) the allowable levels. The forthcoming inter-connection between acoustic environmental pollution and the noise source capacity around industrial subject can be used for cartography.

Att detektera ljudnivå ger mycket information i stadsområde såsom bullernivå, antal skottlossningar, antal kollisioner och detekterar plats på en ljudkälla. I detta projekt monteras en ljuddetektor som kommunicera via LoRa Long Range när ljudet överstiger ett tröskelvärde. Ljuddetektorn implementeras som en fristående modul bestående av tre befintliga moduler. Modulerna som används i projektet innefattar: Lopy4 med Expansionskort 3.1, GPS modul och Ljud sensor  Ljudnivån, batterinivå, koordinater, datum och tid överförs via LoRa-nät till en gateway och vidare till The Thing of Network, TTN websidan och samtidigt sparas data lokalt i ett SD minneskort när ljudet överstiger ett tröskelvärde. Tröskelvärdet kan modifieras efter användarens önskningar. / Detecting noise levels explains a lot in urban areas such as noise levels, number of shots, and number of collisions. In this project, a sound detector is installed that communicates via LoRa, Long Range when the sound exceeds a threshold value. The sound detector is implemented as a stand-alone module consisting of three existing modules. The modules used in the project include Lopy4 with Expansion Card 3.1, GPS module, and Sound sensor. The sound level, battery level, coordinates, date, and time are transferred via LoRa to a gateway and on to The Thing of Network, TTN website, and at the same time data is saved locally in an SD memory card when the sound exceeds a threshold. The threshold can be modified according to the user's wishes.

Bakgrund: Bristande kommunikationen kan vara en stor anledning till patientsäkerhetsrisker, ofta uppstår bristerna i övergången mellan olika team och där en snabb och effektiv hantering är av största vikt såsom på intensivvårdsavdelningar. SBAR rekommenderas av SKR och studier har visat att användandet av SBAR ökar patientsäkerheten i vissa aspekter. Motiv: Inga studier har hittats som undersöker vilka faktorer som kan påverka intensivvårdssjuksköterskans möjligheter att rapportera enligt SBAR. Kunskap om detta kan leda till utvecklandet av metoder som kan förbättra möjligheten till korrekt SBAR rapportering. Syftet: Syftet med studien var att kartlägga om olika faktorer kan påverka om intensivvårdssjuksköterskor rapporterar korrekt enligt SBAR eller inte vid överrapportering. Metod: Metoden som användes var en kvantitativ observationsstudie. Observationerna skedde på två olika intensivvårdsavdelningar på ett medelstort sjukhus i Norrland. 31 intensivvårdssjuksköterskor deltog. Efter observationen fick studiedeltagaren svara på ett frågeformulär. Resultat: Resultatet visade inga statistiskt signifikanta skillnader eller samband vilket delvis kan förklaras av ett litet stickprov. Resultatet visade dock på medelstora effekter som tyder på att intensivvårdssjuksköterskor som rapporterat felaktigt enligt SBAR var äldre, hade arbetat en längre tid som sjuksköterskor och längre tid på arbetsplatsen samt att en korrekt SBAR rapportering hade fler störningar och en högre ljudnivå. Konklusion: En förbättrad följsamhet till SBAR skulle kunna minska samhällskostnader och vårdskador. Utbildningsinsatser i form av rollspel eller simulering skulle kunna öka kunskapen om SBAR. Kontinuerlig fortbildning behövs för att upprätthålla kompetensen, detta kan göras genom instruktionssjuksköterskor och användandet av lättillgängliga flödesscheman samt att rapportering bör ske där det är en låg ljudnivå / Background: Inadequate communication can be a considerable reason for patient safety risks. Mistakes in communication often happen in the transition between different teams and when efficient and fast management is of importance, such as in an ICU. The use of SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is recommended by SKR and studies have shown that it can improve patient safety in some aspects. Motive: Knowledge about factors that can affect the intensive care nurses' possibilities to do a correct SBAR handover can help create methods that can increase the possibility of a correct SBAR handover. Aim: The aim of the study was to map out whether varied factors can affect intensive care nurses to do a correct handover accordingly to SBAR or not. Method: The method used was a quantitative observational study. The observations took place on two different intensive care units in a medium sized hospital in northern Sweden. 31 intensive care nurses participated in the study. The participants then answered a questionnaire after the observation. Result: The result did not show any significant differences or relationships. The result did, however, show midsized effects that could indicate that the intensive care nurses who fail to do a handover accordingly to SBAR tend to be older, had worked a longer time at the workplace and as a registered nurse. Correct SBAR handovers had a higher sound level and more interruptions. Conclusion: A better compliance with SBAR could reduce iatrogenic harm and societal costs. Educational efforts could help increase knowledge about SBAR, roleplay and simulations have shown a good effect when implementing SBAR. Continuous education to uphold knowledge is needed, it can be done with instructional nurses and flowcharts. During handovers, the sound level should be reduced.

Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur förskollärare uttrycker att dearbetar med ljudnivån samt att bidra med kunskaper kring vad förskollärarekan göra för att påverka ljudnivån i sin arbetsmiljö. Tidigare erfarenheteroch tidigare forskning visar att det kan vara en hög ljudnivå inne påförskolors avdelningar som är skadlig för dem som vistas i den. Studiengrundar sig i miljöpsykologisk teori, förskollärarna som har varit delaktigai studien har utgått från sina egna erfarenheter och upplevelser. För att fåreda på förskollärares upplevelser har vi använt oss av semistruktureradeintervjuer. Förskollärarnas svar har sedan analyserats genom en tematiskanalys och ett framework. Studien visar att ljudnivån är väldigt hög men attsänka ljudnivån är ett pågående projekt på respektive förskola. Hurförskollärarna arbetar för att nå en gynnsam ljudnivå för sig själva och förbarnen varierar från förskolorna. Studiens slutsats är att planering, strukturoch rutiner för personalen och för barnen är väldigt viktiga byggstenar iarbetet för att nå en ljudnivå som är gynnsam för alla. / The purpose of the study is to investigate how preschool teachers express that they work with the noise level and to contribute knowledge about what preschool teachers can do to influence the noise level in their work environment. Previous experience and previous research show that it can be a high noise level inside preschool departments that is harmful to those staying in it. The study is based on an environmental theory, the preschool teachers who have participated in the study have started from their own experiences and experiences. To find out about preschool teachers' experiences, we have used semi-structured interviews. The preschool teachers' answers have then been analyzed through a thematic analysis and a framework. The study shows that the noise level is very high, but reducing the noise level is an ongoing project at each preschool. How the preschool teachers work to reach a favorable noise level for themselves and for the children varies from preschool to preschool. The study's conclusion is that planning, structure and routines for the staff and for the children are very important building blocks in the work to reach a sound level that is favorable for everyone.

Modeling outdoor acoustic environments is a challenging problem because outdoor acoustic environments are the combination of diverse sources and propagation effects, including barriers to propagation such as buildings or vegetation. Outdoor acoustic environments are most commonly modeled on small geographic scales (e.g., within a single city). Extending modeling efforts to continental scales is particularly challenging due to an increase in the variety of geographic environments. Furthermore, acoustic data on which to train and validate models are expensive to collect and therefore relatively limited. It is unclear how models trained on this limited acoustic data will perform across continental-scales, which likely contain unique geographic regions which are not represented in the training data. In this dissertation, we consider the problem of continental-scale outdoor environmental sound level modeling using the contiguous United States for our area of study. We use supervised machine learning methods to produce models of various acoustic metrics and unsupervised learning methods to study the natural structures in geospatial data. We present a validation study of two continental-scale models which demonstrates that there is a need for better uncertainty quantification and tools to guide data collection. Using ensemble models, we investigate methods for quantifying uncertainty in continental-scale models. We also study methods of improving model accuracy, including dimensionality reduction, and explore the feasibility of predicting hourly spectral levels.