The Transtec Group (pavement engineering firm specializing in pavements, optimize pavement engineering to reduce costs, accelerate schedules, and protect risk) evaluated six sites for tire-pavement noise and pavement texture as part of a CP Tech Center Program. They tested tire-pavement noise using On-Board Sound Intensity (OBSI) and evaluated texture using RoboTex. RoboTex is a robotic pavement texture profiler that measures in three dimensions (3D) with sub-millimeter accuracy, making it particularly suitable for pavements with complex directional texture.
TIRE-PAVEMENT NOISE
Traffic noise can be a major environmental concern for many roads and highways. In many cases, the dominant source of traffic noise is tire-pavement noise—sound from tires rolling on the pavement. Sound walls or barriers are a common method of reducing traffic noise, however, it has been found that through research and experience, it is possible to build pavements that are quieter. Quieter pavements can be a lower cost alternative, or a supplement, to traditional noise abatement strategies.
Quieter Pavement Design:
Although there multiple ways to make quiet pavements, only a few will meet the pavement needs. Noise-control experts work with pavement experts who are both uniquely qualified to provide cost-effective alternatives for designing quiet pavements; help balance the many variables such as cost, materials availability, construction time, performance demands; and work to identify quiet pavement design options that best meet the project-level and network-level objectives.
On-Board Sound Intensity (OBSI) test method can determine which pavements are quiet and which are loud. Using the OBSI test method, pavement experts offer design and specifications to construct quieter pavements, reduce the public’s traffic noise complaints, and are capable of conducting tire-pavement noise measurements across a network of roads. The results create a database or catalog of pavement noise levels for the roads in the region. Such information allows identification of quieter from louder construction methods. For existing roads, it can help identify louder sections with higher risk of noise impact on roadside development. Results are visually presented in a Google Earth based tool which includes audio samples of the noise and photos of the pavement.
Pavement Noise Analyses and Troubleshooting:
Highway construction materials, surface texture, tire-pavement noise, and how all these interact …
Network Level Evaluation of Pavement Noise:
Which pavements are quieter?
Which are louder?
Do the pavements get louder or quieter with age?
Answers to questions such as these are needed to formulate a quieter pavements strategy in many regions.
Tire-Pavement Noise Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting:
For an accurate measurement of tire-pavement noise level, pavement experts have the most reliable solution with state-of-the-art tire-pavement noise measurement services worldwide, and provide:
Reviews of the design and materials
Specialized surface texture measurements to understand the root cause of high noise levels from a pavement
Three-dimensional (3D) profiles
Diagnoses of why a pavement surface texture is louder than expected
Complete service package
Measurement of one section, compare multiple sections, or evaluate an entire network
Location(s) identifications
Data Collections
A full analysis
Delivery of a comprehensive, easy to understand report of the tire-pavement noise levels resulting from the selected pavement sections
Many tire-pavement and vehicle noise test standards are available
Some common standards (AASHTO TP 76 Measurement of Tire/Pavement Noise Using the On-Board Sound Intensity (OBSI) Method; AASHTO TP 98 Standard Method of Test for Determining the Influence of Road Surfaces on Vehicle Noise Using the Statistical Isolated Pass-By (SIP) Method, etc…) are available here: http://www.thetranstecgroup.com/pavement-surface-characteristics/noise/
• WORKSHOPS: Pavement-Noise/Quieter Pavement:
“The Design and Construction of Quiet Pavements”—
Educational workshops on the basics of quiet pavements, including design and construction methods:
• Order a customized workshop tailored to your audience
• Materials can be tailored to suit the skill level of your audience
• Learn from leading experts
• Earn continuing education units
• 30 minutes up to 6 hours
… From senior executives to research engineers to field inspectors, Transtec workshops are praised for being entertaining, informative, and “equation-free.”
“The Fundamentals of Noise – From Policy to Porous Pavement, or the ABCs of dBAs” … well-rounded introduction about pavement noise … Since pavement noise is still new to many stakeholders in our industry, Transtec offers a basic introduction workshop about pavement noise. This workshop covers everything from the reasons why noise became a popular issue, to how pavement noise affects policy decisions to project decisions. We can also invite our industry leaders to speak about where the industry is headed in the future. This is an excellent workshop for decision-makers and project engineers alike.For more information, please go to: http://www.thetranstecgroup.com/pavement-surface-characteristics/noise/.
For questions, and more information on pavement noise and workshops, please contact: http://www.thetranstecgroup.com/contact-us/
For OBSI Test Method PDF from CP Tech Center, please go to: https://iowadot.gov/research/reports/Year/2011/abstracts/Tech%20Brief-OBSI.pdf
PAVEMENT TEXTURE:
Pavement texture is a significant pavement surface characteristic affecting friction, noise, smoothness, and more. Texture is often categorized by wavelengths—length between physically repeating features. A pavement surface is often a combination of numerous wavelengths, ranging in size. Detailed knowledge of pavement’s macrotexture is vital to understanding and improving many of its functional performance characteristics including safety (friction and splash & spray), environment (traffic noise), and life cycle (durability).
• High resolution 3-D measurements of PAVEMENT TEXTURE: Line-laser-based texture profiler, RoboTex—Profiler to Measure Texture—Robotic-based texture-measuring device:
• VIDEO of RoboTex in action
• Utilizes a line laser:
Produces full 3-dimensional images
Detailed and intuitive visualization of the surface texture
Full suite of analytical metrics determined—mean profile depth (MPD) and spectral metrics
Texture in longitudinal and transverse directions evaluated … especially useful on surfaces with directional texture
• Texture Specifications: Pavement experts:
Develop texture specifications to be met by contractors during construction
Provide guidance on texture to optimize safety and noise
Provide concrete surface specifications for curing to improve surface strength and durability
• Texturing Concrete:
Multiple ways to finish concrete pavement: Tinning, dragging, and grinding, etc.
Pavement experts can help owner/agencies identify and specify a texture optimized for their particular situation
Help contractors with guidelines and controls to meet texture, smoothness, and durability requirements
• Texture Testing Standards:
Many texture-related standards
Pavement experts can help understand the standards, analyze and interpret test data, and, for some, provide testing services. For the list of standards (ASTM E 965 Standard Test Method …; ASTM E 2157 Standard Test Method …, ASTM E 2380 Standard Test Method …, etc.), please go to: http://www.thetranstecgroup.com/pavement-surface-characteristics/texture/. If your particular standard is not listed, please contact: http://www.thetranstecgroup.com/contact-us/
• WORKSHOPS: Basics of surface texture and how texture relates to other surface characteristics including durability, noise, and friction are offered. Workshop objectives include:
- Educate pavement practitioners on the fundamentals of pavement texture and the interaction with noise, friction, and smoothness.
- To convey the fundamentals of measuring and interpreting pavement surface characteristics.
- To teach through interactive demonstrations and listening experiences.
- To examine current practices for designing and constructing safer, smoother, and quieter pavements.
- To inform about new specifications and guidance to improve pavement surface
characteristics
For RoboTex, please go to: http://www.forconstructionpros.com/product/10886735/the-transtec-group-inc-robotex-iii
For more information on pavement texture, please go to: http://www.thetranstecgroup.com/pavement-surface-characteristics/texture/
For VIDEO of RoboTex, please click on video image above, or go to: : https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=88&v=AZ-W_XdFD3g&feature=emb_logo
PAVEMENT FRICTION:
Several factors affect highway safety including pavement friction, road geometry, traffic conditions, vehicle speed, and environmental conditions. Safety data shows low friction in conjunction with wet conditions directly correlates to increased number of skid related crashes. Thus, from a pavement engineering perspective, friction is a key factor in highway safety.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) produced a VIDEO to help highway agencies and contractors successfully implement high friction surface treatments (HFST) as a crash-reducing safety countermeasure. According to FHWA, the objective of a pavement friction management program is to minimize friction-related vehicle crashes and increase safety by:
• Ensuring that new pavement surfaces are designed, constructed, and maintained to provide adequate and durable friction properties
• Identifying and correcting sections of roadways that have elevated friction-related crash rates
• Prioritizing use of resources to reduce friction-related vehicle crashes in a cost-effective manner
For the FFHWA and ATSSA VIDEO, please go to: http://youtu.be/k8EJsVYrL8U
For the Transtec page, please go to: http://www.thetranstecgroup.com/past-projects/noise-and-pavement-texture-evaluation-austria/?
Home Photo: RoboTex III measures pavement texture in Denmark: http://www.thetranstecgroup.com/pavement-surface-characteristics/friction/