Surface Characteristics of Two Recently Constructed Trunk Roads in the UK

In an effort to tackle road traffic noise, research into quieter road surfaces has included trials of a new type of concrete surfacing called exposed aggregate concrete, which has been used in a number of other European countries. Two trials of exposed aggregate concrete have been constructed in the UK; the first on the M18 in South Yorkshire which was completed in Winter 1993 and the second on the A50 in Derbyshire which opened in Spring 1995. The Ml 8 trial consisted of exposed aggregate concrete surfaces which were compared with hot rolled asphalt, brushed and tined textured concrete surfaces. The A50 trial comprised exposed aggregate concrete and hot rolled asphalt surfaces only. This paper presents the results of measurements available at the end of 1996 to assess the surface properties related to safety (low and high-speed skidding resistance and texture depth) and the results of vehicle noise measurements recorded at the two trial sites. The results show that the exposed aggregate concrete surface complies with the UK Specification with regards to safety while producing acceptable noise levels.