Guidelines for silent road surfaces in the Netherlands

Cost/benefit studies have demonstrated that source related measures such as low noise vehicles, tyres and road surfaces perform better than effect related measures such as barriers and facade insulation. The noise properties of vehicles and tyres are subjected to European Union (EU) regulations and bringing down the noise emission through tightening of legal limit values is a time consuming process. Low noise road surfaces have the advantage that they can be applied overnight at the locations of the noise problem and that local authorities have full decisive power on their application. Furthermore there are indications that silent road surfaces offer more benefits such as a lower rolling resistance, less tyre wear and less emission of air pollution. However, history has taught us that a silent road surface is a type of surface that only can be applied by authorities and contractors who have specific knowledge about design, laying process and maintenance procedures. In many cases the traffic conditions impose serious constraints on the application of certain types. Over the last 10 years a CROW working group has performed extensive research on several types of silent road surfaces in the Netherlands and their findings were laid down in the 'Guidelines for silent road surfaces'. This paper describes the relevant aspects of application of these surfaces and it can be used as a check list for those who wants to explore the benefits of silent road surfaces.