Suggested Citation:
Kohler, Erwin R. (2011) Quiet Pavement Research: Bridge Deck Tire Noise Report. Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, Research Report UCD-ITS-RR-11-22

This report presents the results of tire noise research performed on bridge decks. This work is part of a project that has looked into tire noise on concrete pavements and bridge decks. The objectives of the project are: (a) to identify relationships between tire/pavement noise and variables observed in concrete pavement and bridge decks, (b) to determine trends in noise levels versus age for concrete pavement and bridge decks, and (c) to develop recommendations on surface textures to minimize tire/pavement noise.

A total of 24 bridge sections were included in the study. The evaluation consisted of measuring tire/pavement noise with the OBSI method. The surface type of each section was identified through visual observation, sometimes from the vehicle as no traffic closures were used in this research. Six surface types were observed and tested: diamond ground, transversely tined, transversely broomed, polyester overlay with several different finishes, hot-mix asphalt, and burlap drag.

This report begins by explaining the data collection and data reduction procedures, and then presents the analysis performed on the aggregated results (by surface type, surface age, Year 1–to–Year 2 variation) plus results on pavement–bridge transitions and the effect of bridge joints. A chapter is dedicated to describing the results on each bridge section.

The results indicate that, of the six texture types tested, diamond-ground decks are the quietest, followed by polyester overlays. Bridges in these two groups both had On-board Sound Intensity (SI) levels between 100 and 105 dB(A), respectively. Transversely tined and transversely broomed surfaces were the most commonly used deck surface types included in the study, with most having OBSI levels between 105 and 109 dB(A). The effect of joint slap was found to be negligible in most cases in terms of average OBSI, although joint slap causes very high short-duration noise, on the order of 112 dB(A). On the five bridges where the joint slap could be identified, it was determined that elimination of the joints would reduce the bridge deck noise by only 0.2 to 0.3 dB(A). With respect to trends in noise versus age, the sample size and time series were insufficient to draw strong conclusions. All the sections but one range from 0 to 15 years old, and most have OBSI levels that seemed to increase with age. The oldest section, which has been in service for 44 years, presented an OBSI level of less than 106 dB(A).