Open-graded asphalt pavements, like those used on I-5, SR 520, and I-405 have been consistently measured as the “quietest” pavements in other parts of the world. Unfortunately open-graded asphalt pavements perform poorly when they are exposed to vehicles using studded tires. WSDOT is investigating the following pavement grinding options to reduce the noise from older concrete pavements.
- Next Generation Concrete Surface (NGCS) is the newest grinding method and has produced the quietest concrete pavements in other states.
- Conventional diamond grinding (CDG) reduces noise from older concrete pavements.
Next Generation Concrete Surface
King County installed a section of Next Generation Concrete Surface texturing on both directions of Avondale Road between NE 144th Place and NE 151st Street. Noise levels were measured before and after the grinding. The chart below shows the noise level of the concrete before grinding, just after grinding, and nine months later.
WSDOT constructed a section of NGCS on I-82, near Sunnyside, Washington in October 2010. The chart below shows the noise level of the old concrete before grinding, just after grinding, and almost one year later. WSDOT is measuring tire/pavement noise on this section of concrete two times per year.
The photos below, that were taken approximately one year apart, show the effect of studded tires on the Next Generation Concrete Surface texture. The attrition or wearing down of the land area between the grooves leads to the increased noise level for the 2011 reading.
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| Post-construction close-up of I-82 NGCS |
2011 close-up of I-82 NGCS |
Conventional Diamond Grinding
The Boeing Access Road to King/Snohomish County Line Pavement Repair Project on I-5 was completed in December of 2009. Tire/pavement noise was measured before and after the conventional diamond grinding.
WSDOT used longitudinal tining and conventional diamond grinding (CDG) on a concrete rehabilitation project on I-90 near Cle Elum in 2010. Longitudinal tining was used on the travel lane and the passing lane was restored with CDG. The chart below shows measurements on the CDG just after construction and eighteen months after construction.
Noise level results for the longitudinal tining can be found on the Pavement Texturing page.
