Sound-absorbent porous asphalt pavements have been used extensively on italian motorways to reduce traffic noise; improve skid resistance in case of precipitation by eliminating aquaplaning, especially in zones with limited runoff; and eliminate the risk of the spray effect. The autostrade company carried out large-scale tests for safety, economy, maintenance, and sound absorption over some 1, 200, 000 sq m of porous asphalt pavement. Laboratory control measurements andsnow simulations were also studied. The data indicate why porous asphalt attenuates noise, which may lead to new ways to develop porousasphalt pavement mixes. The measures that should be taken to removesnow and ice are also reported. This paper appears in transportation research record no. 1265, Porous asphalt pavements: an international perspective 1990.
Abstract