Characterization and Modeling of Textured Cement Concrete Pavement Surfaces for Tire-Pavement Noise Prediction

Abstract

In rapidly urbanizing regions, tire-pavement interaction is increasingly recognized as a significant contributor to traffic noise pollution. Cement concrete pavements, widely used in city roadways, have long been associated with considerable vibration and sound reflectivity due to tire-pavement interactions. Addressing this, designers have turned to innovative texture techniques to produce quieter surfaces. This study introduces a 3D modeling technique for concrete pavement surfaces using a 2D analysis of textures across various driving directions. Texture profiles are then extracted from the wheel tracks, with average profile levels calculated from eight test sites. Through the correlation analysis of the measured tire-pavement noise and the texture profile level, the high-frequency texture, mid-frequency texture, and low-frequency texture are considered as indicators of tire-pavement noise. A multivariate regression model then connects these noise levels to respective texture profile levels:high:[[EQUATION]],mid:[[EQUATION]], and low:[[EQUATION]]. By incorporating noise assessments from concrete pavements into the design process, the model contributes to the optimized design and construction of quieter pavement textures.

Keywords: Cement concrete pavement, Tire-pavement Noise, Pavement texture modelling, Texture profile level, Prediction model