Stop the Whine!: Narrow-Band Noise Level Measurements of Three Highway Pavements

The origins of an annoying high-pitched sound emitted by highway traffic were investigated. Wayside noise levels of single vehicles passing over three types of pavement surfaces were measured using real traffic. Data based on a statistically significant number of samples are presented for automobiles and heavy trucks. All data were collected using a realtime analyzer with 1/3-and 1/12-octave band resolution. The measured data confirmed the transverse grooved pavement as the noisiest with a noticeable concentration of sound, often described as a “whine.” Data for the asphalt and longitudinally grooved surfaces indicated lower overall noise levels and a near absence of the whine.