Asphalt is the quiet pavement.
In many countries other materials are now banned from use in road surfaces in densely populated or noise sensitive areas, with asphalt recognised as the only successful noise reducing surfacing material.
With noise now recognised as a significant “environmental pollutant” this is a key criterion of asphalt. Noise is the prototypical local public good. The environmental impact of noise is felt locally, not regionally, nationally, or globally. About 80% of Europeans live in urban areas. Further, noise in urban areas is a serious and growing problem and 80% of it comes from road traffic. At least 100 million people in Europe in agglomerations or in the vicinity of transport infrastructures are exposed to road traffic noise levels above the WHO recommended level of 55 dB(A)
There are different ways of reducing traffic-generated noise. For example: Sound-insulation for the houses and noise reducing barriers along the roads. Noise-reducing asphalt pavement is the cheapest possibility of those. It reduces the noise directly at its source the road surface.
From:
Winning with Asphalt Lit. 30
EAPA position papers about traffic noise
APA:
http://asphaltroads.org/images/documents/QP.Europe_805977980_512006103333.pdf
http://asphaltroads.org/images/documents/Measurement_of_Tire-Pavement_Noise_757265452_16200615256.pdf
Reyff, James, et al., I-80 Davis OGAC Pavement Noise Study: Traffic Noise Levels Associated With an Open Grade Asphalt Concrete Overlay. Prepared for California Department of Transportation by Illingworth & Rodkin, Inc., Sacramento, CA, December 1, 2002. -Page 3 of 3 4/11/11
Newcomb, Dave, and Larry Scofield, “Quiet Pavements Raise the Roof in Europe,” Hot Mix Asphalt Technology, National Asphalt Pavement Association, Lanham, MD, September/October 2004.
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/NAPS0510/index.php?startpage=23&qs=accide nts#/22
www.AsphaltIsBest.com quiet pavement technology
Reyff, James, et al., I-80 Davis OGAC Pavement Noise Study: Traffic Noise Levels Associated With an Open Grade Asphalt Concrete Overlay. Prepared for California
Department of Transportation by Illingworth & Rodkin, Inc., Sacramento, CA, December 1, 2002.
