Noise-reducing asphalt rubber surfaces in China

Abstract

In the earlier part of 2004, the state-of-the-art and practice of asphalt-rubber (AR) surfaces as used and applied in the United States of America (USA) to reduce traffic noise was presented in China. AR surfaces have been used in the USA for many years to reduce the traffic noise. The AR surfaces can be applied as the final wearing course on conventional concrete and/or asphalt pavements. In the USA, the States of California and Arizona, and several others have successfully employed thin wearing courses (12.5 to 40 mm) of AR to reduce highway noise. Following this early exposure to the AR technology, China began to experiment and later used AR to reduce noise, as well as to provide a durable and good quality skid resistant wearing courses. This paper reports the progress of use of AR in China and the noise data from various surfaces in China. These surfaces included Stone Mastic Asphalt, Polymer Asphalt, Asphalt Rubber Asphalt Concrete and Asphalt Rubber Open Graded Friction Course.