Noise pollution has a heightened sensitivity given recent developments at the EU level and the publication of updated noise guidelines by the World Health Organization. One of the main noise control methods is mitigation at the sources by building the noise barriers. Besides mechanical and durability properties, the acoustic performance indicators of the noise barrier are their most important properties. RUCONBAR is a highly absorptive environmentally friendly concrete noise barrier developed and patented at the Faculty of Civil Engineering University of Zagreb. Its absorbing layer is made of recycled waste tires and concrete. The use of RUCONBAR on railway track sections of the railway line M604 Oštarije-Knin-Split is the first time that noise barriers are applied on a section of the railway infrastructure in Croatia. This paper presents in situ measurements of the insertion loss and sound reflection of RUCONBAR barriers near Gospić train station. In situ values of sound reflection of the barrier under direct sound field conditions are measured according to the standard HRS CEN/TS 16272-5. The measurement is conducted by using an artificial sound source. For calculating sound reflection index, the impulse responses are acquired and analysed. Differences between obtained results of the sound reflection related to the direction of the measurement are finally discussed.

railway noise; sound barrier; in-situ measurements; insertion loss; sound reflection