Analysis and Design of Pavement Surface Mixtures for Traffic Noise Reduction

Abstract

Road traffic noise pollutes the living environment and has adverse effects on public health. It may be reduced at its source by a quiet pavement surface. This study investigated the relationship between design parameters of porous asphalt mixtures placed at the pavement surface and the pavement acoustic performance. A mechanistic-empirical model was developed based on a microstructural model of the acoustic absorption of porous media and regression analysis of model parameters as functions of mixture design parameters, using a set of experimental data covering a range of porous asphalt mixture designs. This model may be used to predict the acoustic absorption of porous asphalt concrete, particularly at high frequencies (1000 Hz and above). Regression models were also developed to estimate the effect of mixture design, in terms of nominal maximum aggregate size, on tire-pavement noise at low frequencies. The impact of porous mixture design on pavement friction, in terms of skid resistance and hydroplaning speed, was also evaluated. A procedure was recommended to include the consideration of acoustic performance in the design of porous asphalt mixtures for road surfaces with frequent motor vehicle traffic.