National Transport Library Research Database

Road surface texture för low noise and low rolling reststance (Road surface texture for low noise and low rolling reststance)

Sponsors, duration, budget: Vägverket ; 2009-06-01 -- 2011-12-31 ; 1120000 kronorRegistration number:
  • Vägverket AL90 B 2009:20258
Subject(s): Abstract: The Nordic countries intend to reduce noise from road traffic. In Denmark, for example, this is reflected in a Government strategy proposed in 2003 emphasizing the potential associated with the reduction of tyre/road noise. In Norway, a Government target has been defined as 10 % reduction of the number of annoyed persons before 2020 as compared to the situation in 1999. The most efficient way to reduce the general traffic noise exposure is to reduce the source noise emission. At present the most important part of this noise emission is tyre/road noise. Noise reducing road surfaces are being built in the Nordic countries, so far mostly as experimental test sections of road although Danish road authorities have applied thin layer surface course on new roads, when widening existing roads and in pavement maintenance. Experiments are currently ongoing to optimise the noise reducing properties of pavements, including their acoustical durability. When studying the increase in traffic noise levels due to wear of the surface course measured changes in noise levels could not be explained by measured changes in surface texture applying the Sandberg-Descornet model [1] connecting road surface texture and pass-by noise levels. Whether this lack of agreement is due to insufficiency of the model or in the measurements is unclear. To support further optimization, including acoustical durability, the connection between surface texture of experiment sections of road and the traffic pass-by noise levels must be clarified. Earlier this has been studied by VTI (Sandberg) and recently a project for the Dutch DVS [2] has been completed. In Denmark and Norway little expertise exists in this field, particularly from the viewpoint of designing pavement mixes. During a couple of years, exchange of information on road surface texture and tyre/road noise has taken place in meetings between parties in the Nordic countries, attempting at creating a knowledge base. The project described here shall enhance this knowledge and establish new competence. A German and a Belgian specialist (T. Beckenbauer and L. Goubert) have participated in seminars with Nordic stakeholders. Such specialists should be affiliated to the project as advisers to the Project Steering Group and Project Group. The aim is that after the proposed three years project we shall have 1) built new Nordic competence 2) filled in texture levels/noise levels/rolling resistance data in SILENCE database 3) knowledge of the road surface texture of existing test sections of road 4) applied this knowledge to design surface texture giving rise to lower tyre/road noise levels 5) built and tested new sections of road, initially and after their first winter in service. Note: In parallel with the present project, two PhD students will work on related topics, one at NTNU in Norway (texture – noise – friction) and one at Chalmers/VTI in Sweden (studded tyres). Even if it could and most probably will prove relevant to perform long-term testing, such testing is outside the scope of the present project and must be carried out in follow-up projects, to be decided on at a later stage. An optimization of road surface texture to minimize traffic noise emission should also be seen in the light of its influence on other road surface properties such as rolling resistance and friction. The project therefore also comprises measurements of 6) rolling resistance and 7) wet friction. The present project description is an outline of the project plan and the project organisation, intended as a background for the Norwegian Road Directorate (VV) to sign up - on behalf of all involved national Nordic road authorities - the Danish Road Institute/Road Directorate (DRI) as a contractor to carry out the project. DRI shall sign up VTI and the Technical University of Gdansk (TUG) as subcontractors and by a tendering round arranged by the Norwegian Road Directorate subcontract a Norwegian consultant to perform part of the work. Note 1: SINTEF has been elected Norwegian partner in the project Note 2: At present VV intends to sign contracts with DRI, SINTEF, TUG and VTI, resp.Abstract: Background and aim The Nordic countries intend to reduce noise from road traffic. In Denmark, for example, this is reflected in a Government strategy proposed in 2003 emphasizing the potential associated with the reduction of tyre/road noise. In Norway, a Government target has been defined as 10 % reduction of the number of annoyed persons before 2020 as compared to the situation in 1999. The most efficient way to reduce the general traffic noise exposure is to reduce the source noise emission. At present the most important part of this noise emission is tyre/road noise. Noise reducing road surfaces are being built in the Nordic countries, so far mostly as experimental test sections of road although Danish road authorities have applied thin layer surface course on new roads, when widening existing roads and in pavement maintenance. Experiments are currently ongoing to optimise the noise reducing properties of pavements, including their acoustical durability. When studying the increase in traffic noise levels due to wear of the surface course measured changes in noise levels could not be explained by measured changes in surface texture applying the Sandberg-Descornet model [1] connecting road surface texture and pass-by noise levels. Whether this lack of agreement is due to insufficiency of the model or in the measurements is unclear. To support further optimization, including acoustical durability, the connection between surface texture of experiment sections of road and the traffic pass-by noise levels must be clarified. Earlier this has been studied by VTI (Sandberg) and recently a project for the Dutch DVS [2] has been completed. In Denmark and Norway little expertise exists in this field, particularly from the viewpoint of designing pavement mixes. During a couple of years, exchange of information on road surface texture and tyre/road noise has taken place in meetings between parties in the Nordic countries, attempting at creating a knowledge base. The project described here shall enhance this knowledge and establish new competence. A German and a Belgian specialist (T. Beckenbauer and L. Goubert) have participated in seminars with Nordic stakeholders. Such specialists should be affiliated to the project as advisers to the Project Steering Group and Project Group. The aim is that after the proposed three years project we shall have 1) built new Nordic competence 2) filled in texture levels/noise levels/rolling resistance data in SILENCE database 3) knowledge of the road surface texture of existing test sections of road 4) applied this knowledge to design surface texture giving rise to lower tyre/road noise levels 5) built and tested new sections of road, initially and after their first winter in service. Note: In parallel with the present project, two PhD students will work on related topics, one at NTNU in Norway (texture – noise – friction) and one at Chalmers/VTI in Sweden (studded tyres). Even if it could and most probably will prove relevant to perform long-term testing, such testing is outside the scope of the present project and must be carried out in follow-up projects, to be decided on at a later stage. An optimization of road surface texture to minimize traffic noise emission should also be seen in the light of its influence on other road surface properties such as rolling resistance and friction. The project therefore also comprises measurements of 6) rolling resistance and 7) wet friction. The present project description is an outline of the project plan and the project organisation, intended as a background for the Norwegian Road Directorate (VV) to sign up - on behalf of all involved national Nordic road authorities - the Danish Road Institute/Road Directorate (DRI) as a contractor to carry out the project. DRI shall sign up VTI and the Technical University of Gdansk (TUG) as subcontractors and by a tendering round arranged by the Norwegian Road Directorate subcontract a Norwegian consultant to perform part of the work. Note 1: SINTEF has been elected Norwegian partner in the project Note 2: At present VV intends to sign contracts with DRI, SINTEF, TUG and VTI, resp.
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