Overview of low-noise surfaces

On heavily trafficked roads, where there are often significant exceedances of noise limit values, noise protection poses a particular challenge. Low-noise pavements (LNP) offer an effective way to reduce traffic noise directly at the source.

According to Guideline for Road Noise, Appendix 1b¹, in the context of a noise remediation project (NRP), where a pavement is replaced, the expected effects listed in the figure below must be applied for SDA 4 and SDA 8 pavements at the end of their acoustic lifespan.

SDA 4 --> -3 dB effect at the end of the acoustic lifespan

SDA 8 --> -1 dB effect at the end of the acoustic lifespan

Since AC 8 LA pavements are currently not standardized and thus not part of the Guideline for Road Noise, if an effect of −1 dB(A) is assumed in the NRP and subsidies are requested for the pavement replacement, the required acoustic performance of the installed AC 8 LA must be demonstrated. For this, the AC 8 LA must achieve an initial effect of at least −3 dB(A) as well as an effect of at least −1 dB(A) after 15 years (at the end of the acoustic lifespan).