NOISE REDUCTION WITH POROUS ASPHALT - COSTS AND PERCEIVED EFFECT

The paper discusses three test sections of two-layer porous asphalt and a reference section of dense asphalt concrete that were laid on Oster Sogade in Copenhagen in 1999. An extensive measurement program including noise, surface characteristics and traffic safety is part of the project which also includes a before-after questionnaire survey on noise annoyance among those living along the road. Although two-layer porous asphalt pavements are more expensive than ordinary dense pavements, comparisons done as part of the project of the cost of porous asphalt, noise barriers and sound insulation shows the asphalt to be economically attractive where there is a need for reduction of the traffic noise. The questionnaire survey shows that the reduction in the decibel is matched by a reduction in annoyance both in and outside the homes of those living along the road.