Characterization of Road noise levels increase due to installation of transverse rumble strips

Transverse rumble strips have been widely employed as a means to warn distracted. Noise emissions from traveling over the rumble strips negatively impact surrounding communities. Moreover, the distinguished noise characteristic of rumble strips makes this noise a nuisance to the surrounding community. Measurements of the noise emission generated from vehicles passing over transverse rumble strips have been completed adjacent to the 18-rumble strips. To determine the impact of the rumble strips on noise generation, sound level measurements were taken of vehicles traveling over smooth pavement prior to travelling over the rumble strips shortly after. The measurements were completed for uncontrolled normal road traffic and for controlled vehicle pass-by, where the vehicle speed was steady and controlled. The overall noise emission from the transverse rumble strips results with a 3-9 dB increase above the corresponding vehicle noise emission Leq on smooth pavement. The corresponding sound exposure level is calculated. The increase in the noise emission is largely dependent on the vehicle type and not correlated to vehicle speed. The rumble strip noise is characterized as quasi-steady impulsive sound for receptors, which may require an additional noise penalty. The results show that the rumble strips noise does not have any distinct tone.