Low-noise Thin Surface Course – Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Noise Reduction

Abstract As automobile traffic increases in urban areas, noise generated by vehicle traffic has become an increasing nuisance and a growing concern. Road traffic noise abatement has therefore become a major priority. New product is a low-noise mix designed to meet urban requirements. It is one of the products to meet the new expectations of those living in the vicinity of roads and of road users with respect to noise abatement and more broadly to environmental protection. Tested product is an innovation that combines exceptional acoustic and skid resistance properties. The proposed solution efficiently and sustainably combats rolling noise pollution generated by vehicle traffic. It has a lower risk of long-term silting up than porous asphalt. Based on its intrinsic properties, it is a surfacing of choice for construction and maintenance of urban and suburban pavements: streets, thoroughfares, highway access routes, roundabouts, etc. In addition to comfort and safety, it offers a uniform surface and a fine, aesthetically pleasing mosaic. In urban works, since it is applied in a thin layer it requires no manhole leveling and presents limited joint problems. For analysis of acoustic properties and their evolution over time, acoustic measurements were made in Poland and Czech Republic. Rolling noise measurements have been carried out on a variety of road sections laid with low-noise mix according to test method n 63 of the IFSTTAR (previously LCPC) and the standard XP S 31-145 “In-situ characterization of the sound performances of road surfacing. Continuous measurements of the noise generated by tire/roadway”. In our research program many aspects of noise reduction have been studied, both in laboratory (Research Center in Merignac, France) and on the job site, for example: influence of washing and weather condition on acoustic measurements, influence of speed measurements and additionally a different version of product has been tested.