According to the European Environment Agency, nearly half of the urban population of the European Union suffer from the excessive noise. The noise caused by road, rail and air transport is the primary source of the noise. In order to resolve this issue, scientists of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) modelled a silent asphalt overlay, adjusted for the climate conditions of our country, which would reduce noise level by 2 to 4 decibels, significantly improving Lithuanian‘s quality of life.
Based on the noise testing studies performed in Vilnius, the noise norms, fixed for the residential districts of our capital, are often exceeded by 5 to 10 decibels at least, so the quiet road pavement will reduce the noise till the permissible limits. While using specific structure of the newer asphalt mixtures, produced from the usual materials, the contact between the tyres and the new roadway will result in less noise, and part of the noise will be absorbed.
"The detailed analysis of the long-term noise testing abroad, proved that the road surface, used in warm climate countries, would not be effective in Lithuania because of the frequent changes in temperature from the positive to the negative one, and vice versa. So, the new asphalt mixtures are specially created, adapting them to the changing climate in Lithuania. Next year we expect to install several stretches of the experimental pavement for the continued studies under operating conditions“, – said Audrius Vaitkus, the Director of the Road Testing Institute.
When trying the new asphalt mixtures, the unique testing of the acoustic characteristics and resistance to the climatic conditions have been performed in Lithuania – for the first time asphalt samples were subjected to the artificial freezing and unfreezing in water, so as to simulate the aggressive ambient winter conditions.
The aim of the scientists is to develop such asphalt mixtures, which have similar operating characteristics to those of gravel and mastic asphalt as well as asphalt. The same composition of rubble, mineral powder and bitumen, but with different proportions, will be used for their production.
While creating the quiet road pavement according to the Lithuanian concept, the surface texture has been optimized, by reducing the biggest mineral substances‘ particle and its distribution in the mixture. Thus, the mineral particles and air voids form a smooth surface, allowing to reduce the vibrations of the tyre. The bigger air voids‘ number also increases the absorption of the sound waves, spreading over the surface.
VGTU scientists affirm, that the price of the quiet road pavement would be partially higher than that of the normally used one, but taking into consideration that a thinner coating layer is necessary, it would economically pay-off. The special asphalt mixtures would create the added value, by improving inhabitants living conditions, too.
Based on the noise testing studies performed in Vilnius, the noise norms, fixed for the residential districts of our capital, are often exceeded by 5 to 10 decibels at least, so the quiet road pavement will reduce the noise till the permissible limits. While using specific structure of the newer asphalt mixtures, produced from the usual materials, the contact between the tyres and the new roadway will result in less noise, and part of the noise will be absorbed.
"The detailed analysis of the long-term noise testing abroad, proved that the road surface, used in warm climate countries, would not be effective in Lithuania because of the frequent changes in temperature from the positive to the negative one, and vice versa. So, the new asphalt mixtures are specially created, adapting them to the changing climate in Lithuania. Next year we expect to install several stretches of the experimental pavement for the continued studies under operating conditions“, – said Audrius Vaitkus, the Director of the Road Testing Institute.
When trying the new asphalt mixtures, the unique testing of the acoustic characteristics and resistance to the climatic conditions have been performed in Lithuania – for the first time asphalt samples were subjected to the artificial freezing and unfreezing in water, so as to simulate the aggressive ambient winter conditions.
The aim of the scientists is to develop such asphalt mixtures, which have similar operating characteristics to those of gravel and mastic asphalt as well as asphalt. The same composition of rubble, mineral powder and bitumen, but with different proportions, will be used for their production.
While creating the quiet road pavement according to the Lithuanian concept, the surface texture has been optimized, by reducing the biggest mineral substances‘ particle and its distribution in the mixture. Thus, the mineral particles and air voids form a smooth surface, allowing to reduce the vibrations of the tyre. The bigger air voids‘ number also increases the absorption of the sound waves, spreading over the surface.
VGTU scientists affirm, that the price of the quiet road pavement would be partially higher than that of the normally used one, but taking into consideration that a thinner coating layer is necessary, it would economically pay-off. The special asphalt mixtures would create the added value, by improving inhabitants living conditions, too.
