Traffic noise measurements : determination of variations as a consequence of pavement type and other factors

This paper discusses to what extent the detected variations in traffic noise are caused by factors such as pavement design, vehicle speed and type, weather conditions, local environmental factors and measuring errors. The types of vehicle involved and their speed, weather conditions, local environmental factors, measuring errors have been shown to play an important part in determining the noise level recorded at a certain point. Moreover, it is questionable whether a pavement type can be characterized by measuring vehicle passages at one point. Notwithstanding this, clear significant differences have been found between the noise levels generated on porous asphaltic concrete, dense asphaltic concrete and cement concrete pavements. The variance within each of the above groups was relatively small and can be ascribed to various factors.