Case Study: SNCF achieves quieter train cabins with Hexagon Actran

SNCF - Customer Case Study

SNCF, the French National Railway Company, faced the challenge of retrofitting its extensive fleet of trains to improve interior noise comfort for passengers. Retrofitting without clear engineering insight was prohibitively costly. To address this, the company's Research & Innovation Department explored using acoustic simulation software from vendor Hexagon, specifically evaluating their Actran software in combination with MSC Apex.

Hexagon's solution provided a digital workflow that allowed SNCF engineers to model noise propagation and run what-if scenarios for different acoustic treatments. This enabled them to identify that placing absorptive materials near the noise source at the cabin entrance was the most effective strategy for noise reduction, avoiding costly and extensive physical prototyping. The successful R&D project delivered a validated methodology for the retrofitting teams to create quieter cabins and paves the way for exploring advanced solutions like acoustic metamaterials.

SNCF

Claire Chaufour

Project Manager