On November 18-19, the 2023 International Songjiang Symposium on Railway Noise and Vibration Control took place at Shanghai University of Engineering Science. Themed Making Railways Quieter, the symposium was organized by SUES, attracting over 200 experts and scholars from universities, research institutes, and enterprises in China, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and other countries and regions. Attendees participated in the symposium via both online and offline channels. President Yu Tao was present at the conference, delivering a keynote speech. Notable participants included Professor David Thompson from the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research at the University of Southampton, UK, Professor Sheng Xiao Zhen, a nationally recognized talent, Professor Wang Anbin, and representatives from both students and faculty.
During the opening ceremony, President Yu Tao warmly welcomed all guests on behalf of SUES. He underscored Professor David Thompson's remarkable contributions to the field of railway noise and vibration control, recognizing his significant role in nurturing numerous outstanding talents. President Yu Tao highlighted three crucial concepts: openness, reflecting SUES’ dedication to an open mindset and policy; integration of industry and education, emphasizing SUES’ commitment to fostering applied talents through collaborations with enterprises, and cooperation, expressing the desire for ongoing collaboration between School of Urban Railway Transportation and experts in the field of railway noise and vibration control. He also sincerely invited Professor David Thompson to support academic activities and contribute to the development of disciplines at SUES, particularly in supporting the Songjiang Symposium.
Professor Sheng Xiaozhen from School of Urban Railway Transportation provided a comprehensive overview of the symposium. The symposium's primary objective is to meet the urgent and complex challenges posed by railway noise and vibration control. It endeavors to offer a distinctive platform for cutting-edge researchers in the field of railway transportation, with a special focus on nurturing young scholars. The symposium aims to facilitate the exchange of research accomplishments, ignite innovative research directions, and cultivate collaboration opportunities. Additionally, it plays a vital role in advancing the university's internationalization strategy and further harnessing the university's expertise in the specialized domain of railway noise and vibration control within urban railway transportation.
This symposium showcased 22 delegates who presented academic reports. Notably, Professor David Thompson from the University of Southampton, UK, delivered a keynote speech titled Results from recent European research projects on railway noise and vibration. In his presentation, he offered insights into the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR), detailing its extensive involvement in European research projects and placing specific emphasis on the research outcomes of the TRANSIT and SILVERSTAR projects. Furthermore, Christophe Maliczak, a Senior Technical Expert from CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd., presented a special report titled Noise design of railway transportation equipment: technical challenges and practical development directions of addressing these challenges. His comprehensive presentation covered six key aspects, including the description of technical challenges, an overview of improvement pathways, understanding noise sources, assessing sound insulation performance of vehicle panels, exploring development directions for optimizing in-cabin sound absorption levels, and concluding remarks.
The evolution of railway transportation, while serving as a convenient means for the public and driving economic and social development, has concurrently introduced various challenges associated with vibration and noise. In Songjiang, scholars and experts convened, participating in meaningful discussions, and openly sharing insights to advance research in the field of railway vibration and noise on a global scale. The hosting of this symposium holds significant importance in propelling the development of relevant disciplines and academic pursuits at the university, elevating SUES' global standing, and enhancing China's influence in the realm of railway vibration and noise.