Assessment of the potential use of low noise asphalt pavements for the local scenario

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the noise generated due to the tyre-road interaction on local roads and compare them to those found in the literature. In this study the author will be looking at the different noise generation mechanisms, and other factors which contribute to the noise generation from tyre-road interaction. This study also aims to investigate and analyse the potential use of newer technologies to achieve low noise pavements. In the first part of the study the author investigates the factors affecting tyre-road noise generation, pavement surface characteristics, the different tyre-road noise measurement methods and gives an overview of the existing low noise asphalt pavements. This study also evaluates research performed worldwide on different surfaces over a period of time, and tabulates the data provided and the results reported in these studies. At the same time the author looks at the local specifications available and outlines the most important factors which affect tyre-road noise generation. Finally the author performs some noise measurements on selected roads to establish the sound level on local roads and compare these noise levels with results found in the literature worldwide. From this study it was concluded that low noise asphalt pavements show a significant noise reduction when compared to dense asphalt surfaces used in Malta and in the end recommends that such surfaces should be implemented in Malta. This study recommends two low noise asphalt surfaces, porous asphalt (PA) and stone mastic asphalt (SMA) and gives mix design recommendations for both surfaces based on the literature investigated.