Pavement Noise Analysis of Pavement Preservation Techniques in New Jersey

The NJDOT is increasing the use of micro surface and chip seal earlier in the pavement life cycle to economically extend the service life of a pavement, to promote a high level of pavement condition index (PCI) throughout the state network, to provide functional benefits such as increased skid resistance, reduced splash and spray, and noise reduction. To determine if a noise reduction is attainable using these surface treatments, it was important to first measure the associated noise levels generated and determine how they compare to traditionally used thin-lift overlays. A tire/pavement noise evaluation was conducted utilizing the On-Board Sound Intensity Method (OBSI) on micro surface and chip sealed sections that were placed on state-maintained roads as test sections to compare to noise levels included in the NJ noise database for ultra-thin bonded wearing course (Novachip), High Performance Thin Overlay (HPTO), Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) and Asphalt Rubber Open Graded Friction Course (AROGFC). The rank order noise level of thin-lift overlays from quietest to loudest ascertained from this study was AROGFC, SMA, HPTO, Novachip, and then micro surface.