Noise had been defined as “audible sounds of any acoustic kind undesired in particular circumstances, which irrespective of their frequency and level, are harmful, bothersome, and possibly induce a disorder in the listener’s hearing organ and other parts of their organism” (Kucharski, 1979). Many research centers around the world have been dealing with the problem of noise, and numerous publications have dealt with the subject. A comprehensive review of publications addressing the subject of noise can be found in Sandberg and Ejsmont (1999).
A source of noise emits an acoustic wave, which is subject to reflection and partial absorption by the pavement. “Silent” pavements are those with reasonably high sound absorption capabilities. Absorption depends on the characteristics of the pavement surface and the shape of available air voids.
