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Technofreak

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#303487 13-Feb-2023 19:00
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When the latest section of the Waikato Expressway (Horotiu to Hamilton airport turn off) opened I noticed several sections where there was a noticeable difference in the road noise. There was a visible difference as well even though the smoothness/finish looked to be the same. The visible difference was more akin to the mowing lines you see on a football field.

 

The difference in road noise piqued my curiosity and I wondered what was causing the difference when there was no noticeable difference in the surface texture/roughness. Obviously there is a difference between both surfaces but it is hard to see.

 

Today I noticed another difference. The amount of surface water on the sections that are noisier to drive on. This water is sprayed about by preceding vehicles, especially trucks, severely reducing visibility. It's hard to see past them as you overtake. Yet on the other quieter sections there is a lot less spray/wash from preceding vehicles and visibility is vastly better. The noisy sections have a glossy look to them while the quieter sections have a matt black look.

 

Can anyone explain why there is this difference? 

 

It would be great if the quieter sections with less spray were used everywhere.





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RunningMan
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  #3036130 13-Feb-2023 19:11
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Can't recall where, but read there is a more porous but expensive product in some areas - that could be it.




ttrotter
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  #3036140 13-Feb-2023 19:41
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Yep. And, the porous material can't be used in wet low lying areas, so hence the mix of porous and non-porous surfaces.


tweake
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  #3036157 13-Feb-2023 19:52
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porous tarseal is rarely used on roads as it doesn't handle large loads and suffers from wear. its also very very expensive.

 

the water is more than likely just how the road is wearing and the drainage slope. with wear it will be lower where the wheels travel and that will hold more water. that can be just surface wear or the base sinking.

 

that can also have a stripping look as the worn parts look a little different. worn parts can also sound different.  

 

you might find that sections have been resurfaced hence got newer surface than others. also there can be differences in gravel used, different grades wear at different rates.

 

 

 

 




Technofreak

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  #3036182 13-Feb-2023 21:11
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ttrotter:

 

Yep. And, the porous material can't be used in wet low lying areas, so hence the mix of porous and non-porous surfaces.

 

 

Thought about the porous option and it may well be that. There are several of these sections interspersed with each other without any obvious geographical differences like wet or low lying areas. What doesn't make sense if it is porous material is why it is only in sections.





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Technofreak

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  #3036183 13-Feb-2023 21:13
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tweake:

 

the water is more than likely just how the road is wearing and the drainage slope. with wear it will be lower where the wheels travel and that will hold more water. that can be just surface wear or the base sinking.

 

that can also have a stripping look as the worn parts look a little different. worn parts can also sound different.  

 

you might find that sections have been resurfaced hence got newer surface than others. also there can be differences in gravel used, different grades wear at different rates.

 

 

None of the above. Brand new road, no wear marks, no wear grooves, no resurfaced areas.





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wellygary
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  #3036186 13-Feb-2023 21:28
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tweake:

 

porous tarseal is rarely used on roads as it doesn't handle large loads and suffers from wear. its also very very expensive.

 

 

Large parts of the Expressway are Open Grade asphalt (OGPA) 

 

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/projects/cambridge/docs/201411-poster-pavement-design.pdf

 

 


Technofreak

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  #3036188 13-Feb-2023 21:40
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wellygary:

 

tweake:

 

porous tarseal is rarely used on roads as it doesn't handle large loads and suffers from wear. its also very very expensive.

 

 

Large parts of the Expressway are Open Grade asphalt (OGPA) 

 

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/projects/cambridge/docs/201411-poster-pavement-design.pdf

 

 

 

 

That certainly looks like what's there. Just a bit odd that it is laid in sections of about a kilometre with the other stuff in between at lengths of a kilometre or so.





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panther2
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  #3036190 13-Feb-2023 21:47
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Patchy road. Really notice it when it's raining most if the road is terrible until these patches and there's hardly any surface water... noticed on auck anniversary

tweake
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  #3036600 14-Feb-2023 19:42
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wellygary:

 

tweake:

 

porous tarseal is rarely used on roads as it doesn't handle large loads and suffers from wear. its also very very expensive.

 

 

Large parts of the Expressway are Open Grade asphalt (OGPA) 

 

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/projects/cambridge/docs/201411-poster-pavement-design.pdf

 

 

 

 

thanks for that i'll have to look that up. 

 

the one i know of you install drainage under it not base metal. typically used on driveways and parking lots.


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