Efficacy evaluation of low-emission asphalts in port areas using the CPX and SPB method

The INTERREG IT-FR Maritime financed various projects for filling the gap in knowledge regarding port noise, recognized as environmental issue in the Tyrrhenian area. Passenger road traffic and heavy vehicle traffic related to port activities are among the main sources of disturbance, together with ship noise and dockside operations. Among several projects, REPORT developed simulation models and guidelines for noise evaluation and control strategies, then applied for mapping noise in various ports of the projects. MON ACUMEN installed continuous noise monitoring units. The main objective of RUMBLE was to reduce port noise and, among the noise mitigation interventions that were prescribed by the project and carried out during the three years, low-emission asphalts were laid in the Italian ports of Portoferraio (LI) and Cagliari, and in the French ports of Bastia and Ile Rousse. The present work evaluates the effectiveness of these acoustic interventions by comparing the results of specific measurement campaigns carried out before and after the new laying. The measurements were carried out using both the CPX methodology, which evaluates the noise emission due to the interaction of the tyre with the pavement, and the CPB methodology, which is based on the acquisition of the noise levels produced on the roadside by the passage of the test vehicle on the investigated pavement. Since the two tests were performed simultaneously with the same vehicle, these measurements provide a good estimate of the efficacy of the low-noise pavements in a port environment.