Selection of Quiet Pavement Technology for Polish Climate Conditions on the Example of CiDRO Project

Abstract

Transportation noise has a growing detrimental impact on the environment, humans health and living conditions. In addition to noise mitigation by erection of the expensive noise barriers, tire/pavement noise can be reduced “in source” by construction of special asphalt pavements. While that solution is commonly known in regions with moderate maritime climate (e.g. The Netherlands), in places with more harsh climate it is not popular. High number (>100/year) of freeze and thaw (F&T) cycles in Poland is a significant limitation for porous asphalt technology. This paper presents results of the research work conducted within research project called “Innovative pavement technology with reduced noise emission” with acronym CiDRO. The project was conducted by a consortium composed of Mostostal Warszawa (leader of the consortium), Warsaw University of Technology – Faculty of Civil Engineering and Road and Bridge Research Institute – Department of Pavement Technology (members of the consortium). This project was supported by Polish National Centre for Research and Development. Within the scope of the CiDRO project presented in this paper, various noise reducing asphalt technologies were tested in both laboratory and field sections. Those sections included the following types of wearing course: asphalt concrete AC 11 (reference), stone mastic (matrix) asphalt SMA 5 and SMA 8, open graded friction course OGFC 8 and OGFC 11, porous asphalt PA8 and PA11. The range of laboratory research program consists of typical quality control and evaluation studies of functional characteristics such as resistance to water and frost, low temperature cracking resistance, aging resistance, rheological properties and fatigue life. In addition, field tests such as noise emissions by CPX and SPB methods, texture depth, friction coefficient and in-situ water permeability were performed. Field tests were repeated following winter period. Moreover, to simulate clogging, dirt (previously collected road debris) was spread on the surface and cleaning treatment was performed using specialized equipment. Selected properties of the pavement surface were tested to determine the effectiveness of cleaning process. Finally, two most promising sections were proposed for construction as real traffic exposed roads and subjected for observation during their exploitation. An initial conclusions and recommendations were drawn regarding the mixture maximum aggregate size and air void content.