ODSURF: Optimized low noise urban road surfaces

Based on results from the former project “Predictio n and Propagation of Rolling Noise” developed in th e framework of the German-French cooperation and during which an optimal low noise texture of dense road surface has been designed, ODSurf, financed by the French Environmental Agency and the German Federal Highway Research Institute is mainly devoted to the implementation of new technologies and materials particularly adapted for urban situations in terms of noise abatement to comply the European noise regulation. Different new solutions have been investigated. To achieve our objectives, we improved and/or developed new predicting models and experimental techniques. A particular attention has been paid on the consequences of texture, horn effect and air pumpin g modifications on tire-road noise emission. Theore tical approaches and new optimized road pavement designing have been carried out in parallel. Furthermore, t he improvement of “conventional” wearing courses has been pursued in order to supply to end-users a compl ete set of low-noise solutions adapted to their own sit uations. First validation results are presented. Fu rther, these new optimized pavements will be introduced in the c ommon DEUFRABASE, previously implemented for suburban configurations, which will be completed and extended to urban situations.