Traffic Noise is a Serious Problem

Traffic noise is a serious problem

Engine, exhaust, aerodynamic (power train) noise,and pavement/tire noise contribute to traffic noise. The FHWA Noise Abatement Criteria states that noise abatement must be considered for residential areas when the traffic noise levels approach or exceed 67 dB (A). To accomplish this many areas in the United States are building large sound barrier walls at a cost of one to five million dollars per roadway mile. Research in Europe and the United States has indicated that it is possible to build pavement surfaces that will provide low noise roadways. In January of 2002 the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) initiated a research study with the objective to develop safe, quiet and durable asphalt pavement surfaces.

The first step towards accomplishing this objective was to develop a fast and scientifically reliable method for measuring the acoustical characteristics of pavement surfaces. The next step is to conduct studies to evaluate the tire/pavement noise characteristics of various pavement surfaces and to evaluate what properties of those pavements will provide quiet pavement surfaces.

This is a quote from the paper, “Demonstration Project - The Measurement of Pavement Noise on New Jersey Pavements Using the NCAT Noise Trailer.”

By

Mr. Thomas Bennert, Senior Research Engineer

Mr. Doug Hanson, Assistant Director

Dr. Ali Maher, Professor & Chairman

Dep. of Civil & Environmental Engineering

Center for Advanced Infrastructure & Transportation (CAIT)

Rutgers, The State University

Piscataway, NJ 08854-8014