Investigation of Noise, Durability, Permeability, and Friction Performance Trends for Asphaltic Pavement Surface Types: First- and Second-Year Results

The central purpose of the research is to support the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Quieter Pavement Research Program, which has as its goals and objectives the identification of quieter, safer asphalt pavement surfaces. The research conforms with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidance provided to state departments of transportation (DOTs) that conduct tire/pavement noise research. Results from this research are intended to identify best practices for selecting asphaltic surfaces based on performance trends identified from field measurements for noise, permeability, friction, and durability. This report evaluates the first two years of measurements of noise (on-board sound intensity), permeability, skid resistance (friction), roughness, and surface distresses of the most common asphalt pavement surface types in California: open-graded asphalt concrete, which includes conventional mixes (OGAC), rubberized mixes (RAC-O), and F-mixes; rubberized gap-graded asphalt concrete (RAC-G); and dense-graded asphalt concrete (DGAC). The sample of pavement surfaces in this study includes three age categories, two traffic types, and two rainfall regions. This report presents results for the sections in the factorial experiment in the detailed Work Plan for this project. This report also presents similar results for the Division of Environmental Analysis sections and other special test sections, which are referred to as ES sections. This report presents all results for the factorial sections and ES sections, some of which were presented in previous interim reports. Conclusions are made regarding the performance of open-graded mixes and RAC-G compared with DGAC; the variables affecting tire/pavement noise; the correlation of laboratory absorption values with field-measured noise levels; and the performance of mix types included in the study in addition to DGAC, OGAC, RAC-O, and RAC-G. Preliminary recommendations are made for practice based on the results, and recommendations are made for future work.