Tire–Pavement Noise Results From California PCCP and HMA Pavements

Traffic noise generated by tire–pavement interaction is a matter of major concern for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Research is underway in California and other States to evaluate tire–pavement noise characteristics of both concrete and asphalt pavements using the on-board sound intensity (OBSI) method, which allows for detailed characterization of noise levels at the source. In California, both concrete and asphalt pavement research studies are being conducted by the University of California Pavement Research Center (UCPRC) in collaboration with and funding from Caltrans. The concrete pavements and bridge decks study involves a total of 144 sections in different regions throughout the State. The surface textures evaluated in the study are longitudinal tining, diamond grinding, diamond grooving, and burlap drag. Preliminary results indicate that diamond-ground surfaces can be the quietest of the concrete pavement surface textures. With only part of the test sections analyzed, OBSI levels from California concrete pavements range between 101.2 and 107.3 dB(A). The asphalt pavement research evaluates tire–pavement noise characteristics and performance properties of about 70 sections from throughout the State. This study considers acoustic and structural performance of four main asphalt surface types: open-graded asphalt concrete (OGAC), rubberized open-graded asphalt concrete (RAC-O), rubberized gap-graded asphalt concrete (RAC-G) and dense-graded asphalt concrete (DGAC). OBSI measurements indicate that average noise levels increased by 1.3 dB(A) from 100.8 dB(A) to 102.1 dB(A) over the 2-year period. Overall, a noise level of around 100.0 dB(A) measured at 60 mi/h (96 km/h) using the OBSI method appears to be a reasonable goal for both concrete and asphalt quieter pavements, based on the UCPRC data and other studies. Further analysis on the data being collected will answer questions about acoustic durability of different types of concrete and asphalt pavements.

• Corporate Authors:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Kohler, Erwin
  • Motumah, Linus
  • Rymer, Bruce
  • Harvey, John T
  • 0000-0002-8924-6212
• Conference:
  • National Conference on Preservation, Repair, and Rehabilitation of Concrete Pavements
  • Location: St. Louis Missouri, United States
  • Date: 2009-4-21 to 2009-4-24
• Publication Date: 2009

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 287-299
• Monograph Title: Proceedings. National Conference on Preservation, Repair, and Rehabilitation of Concrete Pavements, St. Louis, Missouri, April 21-24, 2009

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acoustic properties; Asphalt concrete pavements; Asphalt rubber; Bridge decks; Hot mix asphalt; Portland cement concrete; Texture; Tire/pavement noise
• Identifier Terms: On Board Sound Intensity
• Geographic Terms: California
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01483897
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 14 2013 9:36AM