2013 Session: 814

• Using Onboard Sound Intensity Measurements to Interpret Traffic Noise Modeling Results
  Abstract: With the evaluation of noise impacts and noise abatement under the requirements of 23CFR772, “Procedures for Abatement of Highway Traffic Noise,” traffic noise levels are calculated using the Federal Highway Administration’s Traffic Noise Model (TNM). TNM calculates traffic noise levels based on the geometry of the site and traffic volumes, mix, and speeds. TNM does not currently account for pavement type or condition, atypical vehicle noise populations, transparent shielding, reflections, or meteorological conditions. For these reasons, noise measurements are conducted and traffic noise model adjustments and calibration factors are developed. For several highway studies recently conducted in California, On-Board Sound Intensity (OBSI) measurements were made concurrent to the traditional wayside noise measurements along the length of the freeway to be studied in an effort to account for the existing pavement type and condition of the freeway. Use of OBSI data, when compared to the calculated TNM Average pavement OBSI level, has helped to interpret calibration factors that had been developed in TNM based on standard modeling practices. This paper describes how OBSI can be used as a supplementary tool to help interpret calibration factors developed for a TNM model.
  Authors: Lodico, Dana M.; Donavan, Paul
  Authors: Lodico, Dana M.; Donavan, Paul
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Environment; Pavements
  Session: 814
  Paper Number: 13-3058
• Methodology for Evaluating Life-Cycle Cost and Acoustic Performance of Barriers and Pavement for Highway Noise Reduction
  Abstract: In the recently completed NCHRP 10-76 Project, methodologies were developed and demonstrated for evaluating feasibility, reasonableness, effectiveness, acoustic longevity, and economic features of pavement strategies and barriers proposed for highway noise abatement. The essential elements of the methodologies are the use of an expanded pavement Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) to examine economic features, a modified version of the Federal Highway Administration Traffic Noise Model (TNM) to integrate the noise reducing performance of pavements and barriers, and use of on-board sound intensity data as an input to the prediction model. In this paper, the modifications to LCCA are presented to account for the initial and life cycle costs of both barriers and quieter pavement in the context of a complete highway project. These are then applied to a generic six-lane highway new construction project on a per mile basis. The results of this analysis are then applied to a hypothetical, but plausible project of new construction set along a portion of I-93 in Massachusetts. Barriers, quieter pavement, and combinations of both are then evaluated for feasibility and reasonableness using the policies of three state highway agencies. The new parameter of effectiveness is also advanced and acoustic longevity is considered based on California and Arizona Quieter Pavement Research findings.
  Authors: Donavan, Paul
  Authors: Donavan, Paul
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Environment; Pavements
  Session: 814
  Paper Number: 13-4670
• Relationship Between Tire-Pavement Interaction Noise and Surface Characteristics in 2009 Pavement Test Track Cycle
  Abstract: The interest in quieter pavements has been driven largely by public awareness that altering the surface can affect traffic noise levels. The objective of this research was to utilize two methods for measuring tire-pavement noise to assess which pavement surface characteristics have the greatest influence on noise generation. The National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) test road, with four different pavement surface family groups, was used to test and analyze noise from tire-pavement interaction. The tire-pavement noise was measured in a novel test approach using a surface microphone from different types of sections in the Test Track. Testing was conducted on four major family groups of superpave fine and coarse graded, open-graded friction course (OGFC) and stone matrix asphalt (SMA) mixes from 2009 NCAT Test Track research cycle to evaluate changes over time. The results show that the noise levels vary widely according to pavement surface type. The effects of pavement properties including the air void content, gradation properties, roughness, texture, pavement stiffness and age have been evaluated on one-third octave band noise levels. The evaluation confirmed that macrotexture increases the low frequency noise and higher air void content reduce the high frequency noise level, while other surface characteristics found to have less influence on noise levels. The content of this study should be of immediate interest to pavement engineers and others concerned with pavement design and construction to determine appropriate quieter pavement surface.
  Authors: Sakhaeifar, Maryam; Liao, Gong-yun; Waller, Brian
  Authors: Sakhaeifar, Maryam; Liao, Gong-yun; Waller, Brian
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Environment; Pavements
  Session: 814
  Paper Number: 13-0328
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Virginia Quiet Pavement Demonstration Projects: Initial Functional Assessment
  Abstract: This paper describes the first stages of the development of a formal ¡°quiet¡± pavement use guideline for Virginia. It chronicles the selection of lower-noise pavement technologies (i.e., ¡°quiet¡± pavement [QP]); the development and construction of the first season (2011) of QP demonstration projects; and the evaluation tools and analysis being used to compare the performance of the alternative strategies. After one winter of service, the quiet asphalt technologies were measurably (2 decibels or less) less noisy than the control surfaces on average and noticeably (¡Ý 3 dB) more quiet in several specific cases. The quiet concrete technology, the Next Generation Concrete Surface (NGCS), maintained an obvious (5 dB) noise advantage over the control concrete surface.Beyond tire-pavement noise, the QP technologies have a distinct advantage over the control surfaces when it comes to achieved ride quality. The NGCS is very smooth, and contractors earned incentives for ride quality with the quiet asphalt materials, including (and especially with) the materials that were placed at a 1-inch thickness. Although some wheel path consolidation was evident in the texture data for the asphalt technologies, all of the QP surfaces are exhibiting excellent skid resistance and are receiving consistent recognition for good wet-weather service.
  Authors: McGhee, Kevin Kenneth; de León Izeppi, Edgar David; Flintsch, Gerardo W.; Mogrovejo, Daniel
  Authors: McGhee, Kevin Kenneth; de León Izeppi, Edgar David; Flintsch, Gerardo W.; Mogrovejo, Daniel
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Paper
  Subject: Environment; Pavements
  Session: 814
  Paper Number: 13-3150
  Practice-Ready: Yes
• Virginia Quiet Pavement Demonstration Projects: Initial Functional Assessment
  Authors: McGhee, Kevin
  Authors: McGhee, Kevin
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Environment; Pavements
  Session: 814
  Paper Number: 13-3150
• Using Onboard Sound Intensity Measurements to Interpret Traffic Noise Modeling Results
  Authors: Lodico, Dana
  Authors: Lodico, Dana
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Environment; Pavements
  Session: 814
  Paper Number: 13-3058
• Methodology for Evaluating Life-Cycle Cost and Acoustic Performance of Barriers and Pavement for Highway Noise Reduction
  Authors: Donavan, Paul
  Authors: Donavan, Paul
  Year: 2013
  Document Type: Presentation
  Subject: Environment; Pavements
  Session: 814
  Paper Number: 13-4670