Effects of double layer porous asphalt pavement of urban streets on noise reduction

Road traffic is the major noise source that impacts the largest numbers of city dwellers. Urban traffic noise control at the source typically involves providing quieter i.e. low noise pavement and regular maintenance. The aim of this paper is to propose a double-layer porous asphalt pavement for keeping the traffic noise at a low level with good durability. It contains the top layer of fine aggregates and bottom layer of course aggregates. The noise-absorption performance of this asphalt pavement is evaluated by adjusting the parameters of the pavement structure simulated in air–solid coupled numerical models. The reduction of noise by using the newly proposed asphalt pavement is compared with those of the traditional pavements such as the thin surfacing (TSF) with small aggregates and rubberized asphalt pavement (RAP). The results from the outdoor noise tests for the double-layer porous asphalt pavement verifies the virtual pavement models and noise reduction effects in practice. This asphalt pavement is designated to lower the noise level of urban road traffic and boost the living environments of the city dwellers.