Prediction of ground-borne vibration generated by heavy vehicles crossing a rumblewave device

Rumblewave road surfaces have been designed to alert drivers to an impending road hazard. They are designed to increase driver awareness by raising the levels of in-vehicle noise and vibration generated as the tyres and suspension system respond to the surface profile. Previous reports have been concerned with the development and testing of these types of surfaces. A typical rumblewave pad is 20m long with 1m long ramps at each end. The surface profile is sinusoidal with a wavelength of 0.35m and a peak to trough amplitude of 6.5mm. This report focuses on the problem of ground-borne vibration which can arise when heavy vehicles cross the device. A number of complaints have been received from members of the public who live adjacent to rumblewave surfacing. To develop advice on the appropriate location of these devices a series of measurements were carried out. The maximum likely vibration amplitude close to a typical rumblewave pad was established by driving heavy vehicles over the device at speeds from 25 to 55 km/h on the TRL test track. In addition measurements were made of vibration amplitudes in houses adjacent to four rumblewave installations. Based on these results guidance is provided on the minimum distance that should be left between the device and the nearest facade to avoid this disturbance.