Quiet Pavements

1
Quiet Pavements

• FHWA Environmental Conference
• June 27-29, 2006
• Chris Corbisier, FHWA

2
Noise Current Practice

• Noise unwanted sound from vehicles
• Sources Tires, engines, and exhausts
• Barriers
• Minimum of 5 dBA noise reduction
• Effective from 200-400
• Cost gt 1Million/mile
• Maintained in perpetuity

3
PAVEMENT

• Pavement is sometimes mentioned as a factor in
  traffic noise. While it is true that noise
  levels do vary with changes in pavements and
  tires, it is not clear that these variations are
  substantial when compared to the noise from
  exhausts and engines, especially when there are a
  large number of trucks on the highway.
  Additional research is needed to determine to
  what extent different types of pavements and
  tires contribute to traffic noise.

4
PAVEMENT

• It is very difficult to forecast pavement surface
  condition into the future. Unless definite
  knowledge is available on the pavement type and
  condition and its noise generating
  characteristics, no adjustments should be made
  for pavement type in the prediction of highway
  traffic noise levels. Studies have shown
  open-graded asphalt pavement can initially
  produce a benefit of 2-4 dBA reduction in noise
  levels. However, within a short time period
  (approximately 6-12 months), any noise reduction
  benefit is lost when the voids fill up and the
  aggregate becomes polished. The use of specific
  pavement types or surface textures must not be
  considered as a noise abatement measure.

5
Current FHWA Tire/Pavement Noise Mitigation Policy

• Prohibits making adjustments for specific
  pavement types in prediction of noise levels
• Only Average pavement type is allowed in TNM
• Pavement types
• DGAC, OGAC, PCC
• Average pavement type DGAC PCC
• Prohibits the use of pavement types/surface
  textures as a noise abatement measure
• www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/noise/qpppeml.htm

6
QP3 vs. Quiet Pavement Research

• In a QPPP acceptable documentation is known, so
• Pavement type can be used in TNM
• Specific pavement types can be used as a
  mitigation measure
• In "quiet pavement" research acceptable
  documentation is not known, so
• TNM adjustments and pavement types as a
  mitigation measure can not be used.
• These determinations will not be made until the
  "quiet pavement" research is completed.

7
QP3 vs. Quiet Pavement Research

• The type of data gathered for both a QPPP and
  quiet pavement research are exactly the same.
• This allows data for a specific pavement type
  from either source to be compared directly
• This can help determine any correlation between
  pavement characteristics (e.g., texture or skid
  resistance), safety, durability, and noise
  reduction.

8
Arizonas QPPP

• Existing concrete loud, used ARFC as overlay for
  splash and spray, noticed noise reduction and
  loss of whine
• Noise studies showing noise reduction lasted over
  time (documentation)
• Chose 4 dB adjustment to predicted noise levels
  and used as mitigation
• Overlaid 115 miles for 34 million
• Heavy truck percentage is low
• 15 million tires recycled since 1988

9
Tire/Pavement Noise Strategic Planning Workshop
Purdue Sept. 2004

• Participants 45 from State DOTs, FHWA,
  Industry, and Academia
• Presentations Tire/pavement Noise Basics, Tire
  Vehicle Manufacturers Perspective, European
  Scan, Current FHWA Pavement Policy, and State
  Experiences
• Breakout sessions Policy, Maintenance,
  Analysis, Design, Construction, and Research
• Identification of gaps 50 gaps, 8 receiving 25
  or more votes

10
Knowledge Gaps

• FHWA Noise Regulation and pavement policy
• Measurement methodologies
• Pavement design and optimization
• Education and communication

11
Measurement Methodologies

• Standardize Measurement Methodologies
• Pass-by and Time Average Wayside
• Source Close Proximity (CPX) or On-Board Sound
  Intensity (OBSI)
• Expert Task Group OBSI Draft Provisional
  Standard
• CPX and OBSI Great for Ranking Pavements and QA/QC

12
101 Workshop Objectives

• Educate noise practitioners on the fundamentals
  of pavements and vice versa
• Understand tire-pavement noise and how it fits
  into a larger framework
• Understand the fundamentals of measuring and
  interpreting tire-pavement noise
• Examine current practices for designing and
  constructing quieter pavements
• Learn of research and policy directions related
  to tire-pavement noise

13
Tire/Pavement Noise Clearinghouse

• Research national and State level
• Website provides information on the topic
• Has links to websites providing information on
  quiet pavement studies
• One stop shopping for current practice in quiet
  pavements

14
Future Tire/Pavement Noise Initiatives

• TNM Pooled Fund Study
• Allowing Existing Pavement Types in TNM to be
  Used
• Recommendations/Findings from QPPP and QPR
• NCHRP
• 1-44 Measuring Tire-Pavement Noise at the Source
• 08-56 Truck Source Mapping
• 01-67 Texture, Friction, Noise

15
National Tire/Pavement Noise Implementation
Workshop

• Second meeting to assess progress
• Several gaps identified were
• - Construction guidelines and best practices
• - Durability of the noise reduction
• - Cost/Benefits of Quiet Pavement
• - Standard tire for OBSI

16
Double Layer Porous Asphalt

• Splash and Spray, Removes Water to Resist
  Hydroplaning, Other Possible Benefits
• Quietest Technology we saw/heard in Europe
• Quieter than Arizonas ARFC by NITE study
• Self-cleaning at highway speeds

17
QPR states

• CA
• CO
• FL
• MO
• TX
• WA
• NV
• NJ
• OH

18
Final Considerations

• Changes to policy, prediction methods, and public
  involvement
• Pavement range by NITE study was up to 14 dB
• Certain pavement types have shown up to 10 dB
  variation across single test section
• Great Sound Wall of America