Have you ever had a peaceful drive interrupted by the hum or rumble of the road? That sound is pavement noise, and it affects more than just the driving experience – it can impact urban sound levels and even disturb residents’ comfort and sleep. Fortunately, modern engineers have developed techniques to keep streets quieter without compromising road quality.

Let’s explore four pavement noise reduction methods that can benefit any community:

Porous/permeable asphalt pavements are designed with openings that allow air and water to escape from beneath tires, reducing the often intolerable “whoosh” sound heard on wet roads. It’s like the road is given a nice, breathable vest! Not only does this reduce noise, but it also improves drainage and overall road safety.

 

 Rubberized asphalt pavements incorporate ground-up rubber (usually from old tires, yay for recycling!) into the mix. This flexible material helps absorb sound and adds durability, making it a double win for sustainability and sound mitigation.

 

When it comes to concrete roads, diamond grinding is a technique in which specialized machines smooth the surface, reducing tire noise by creating a more uniform texture throughout. It’s like giving the pavement a quick touch-up, and the results can last for years (we can all benefit from a nice glow up from time to time, yeah?).

 

With longitudinal tining of concrete pavements, noise levels are greatly reduced. Longitudinal tining aligns grooves with the direction of travel, reducing tire vibration and noise by providing a smoother surface. This method contrasts with transverse tining, which creates more noise due to perpendicular grooves.

 

Through the implementation of these pavement techniques, roads are getting quieter, making cities more peaceful and giving your ears and those of your fellow community members some respite from the noisy daily commute.

Interested in learning more about the latest in pavement maintenance and rehabilitation? Let’s chat!