Development of a Trailer to Measure the Noise Generated at the Interface between Tire and Pavement Surface

摘要

Noise pollution is another environmental pollutant to be formally recognized as an actual threatto human health and the quality of life. The growth in noise pollution is unsustainable because itinvolves direct and cumulative adverse health effects. Pavement characteristics are one of theimportant factors affecting noise generation and propagation. The selection of an appropriatepavement mixture or texture with the proper maintenance efforts is the best method to controlthe main cause of pavement noise. Therefore, the major objective of this research study was todevelop a methodology to evaluate tire-pavement noise. Other objectives were investigatingthe effect of the pavement surface characteristics on the generation and propagation of thenoise of asphalt concrete (AC) and portland cement concrete (PCC) at varying traffic speeds,and finally the development of a statistical model for prediction tire-pavement noise at varyingtraffic speeds. Field noise measurements were performed using a noise trailer developed in thisstudy and attached to the parent vehicle. Overall, PCC sections with higher skid resistance andlower average texture depth produced the highest noise levels compared with the conventionalAC sections; PCC type had an average difference of about 1 dB(A) compared withthe AC pavement. The presence of surface distress led to increasing the tire-pavement noiselevel by 7 dB(A). There were increments of about 1 dB(A) and 7 dB(A) to change vehicle speedfrom 20 to 40 km/h and from 40 to 60 km/h, respectively. Regarding the measurement periodeffect on the tire-pavement noise level, tire-pavement noise had an increment of about 7 dB(A)during daytime compared with night.