Long-Term Monitoring of Noise and Frictional Properties of Three Pavements

Abstract

Three highway test sections were monitored for friction, texture, and noise properties over a period of 4 years. The monitored highways were constructed from dense-graded asphalt (DGA), stone matrix asphalt (SMA), and porous friction course (PFC) mixes. The PFC was intended to reduce tire–pavement noise. It was found that the PFC and SMA pavements exhibited comparable frictional properties (international friction index and skid number), which were significantly higher than those observed in the DGA section. It also was found that the PFC section was the quietest and that SMA was louder than DGA. In general, all three sections performed well, and no failures were noticed in any of the monitored pavements during the course of this study.