Reduction of Tyre/Road Noise – A complex challenge needing technological development

Paper in proceeding, 2011

Over many years road traffic noise has been subject to a large amount of activities in research, development and legislation. Despite this fact, the situation concerning traffic noise and especially road traffic noise is far from sustainable. The future trend points towards an increase of noise pollution from road traffic partly due to the increase of traffic, but also because the development of technical solutions to reduce road traffic noise seems to be difficult. The paper will make the attempt to give an insight into the problems of developing and implementing technical solutions for the reduction of road traffic noise in urban areas. The main focus will be tyre/road noise which is already one of the major sources and which is very likely to maintain this position also in the future. An introduction will be given to the mechanisms leading to the generation and radiation of tyre/road noise and open research topics will be identified. Models and measurements will be utilised to demonstrate the complexity of the interaction process between tyre and road. The contribution of several generation mechanisms – the main ones being roughness excitation of tyre vibrations and air-flow related mechanisms – as well as the special radiation conditions in the contact area of the tyre demand a deep understanding in order to successfully identify, develop and implement solutions for the reduction of tyre/road noise. Solutions for the reduction of tyre/road noise cannot be discussed in isolation, but have to be considered in the context of aspects such as rolling resistance, safety and wear, just to name some of the major performance criteria. Recent examples of technical developments and their implementation will be discussed and examples of the need for further technological development will be given.