Negative texture, positive for the environment: effects of horizontal grinding of asphalt pavements

Abstract

A pavement surface having deflections from a plane mostly directed downwards in valleys is said to have a “negative texture”, in contrast to a “positive texture” dominated by peaks. Negative textures are typical of porous asphalt pavements, but another way to achieve this feature is to grind off the peaks of the surface. This paper explores the effects of grinding off texture peaks in the horizontal plane on a number of Swedish asphalt pavements in order to reduce noise and rolling resistance. Noise measurements were made to evaluate the ground-off surfaces versus the original surfaces, and, in most cases, also rolling resistance, texture and friction were also evaluated. It was found that grinding led to a more negative texture, tyre/road noise reductions up to 3 dB and tyre/road rolling resistance reductions up to 15%. It is concluded that horizontal grinding provides a maintenance operation with a significant potential for reduction of noise and rolling resistance, without sacrificing friction, though with limited longevity.