Developments of Low Noise Road Surfacing Materials - Applications and Performance Across Hong Kong's Road Network

Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities in the world with a population of over seven million. Due to limited land resources, most residential buildings are high-rise structures of over 20 floors along the two sides of the roads. Similar to other major cities worldwide, road traffic noise is a notable nuisance in Hong Kong. All along, the Environmental Protection Department of the HKSAR Government had paid special attention and made significant efforts to tackle this challenge through comprehensive strategies. In addition to the adopted Low Noise Road Surfacing (LNRS) materials in Hong Kong, including Polymer Modified Friction Course (PMFC), Highly Modified Friction Course (HMFC), and Polymer Modified Stone Mastic Asphalt (PMSMA6), this paper reviews and discusses the recent trials and technical feasibility of the newly developed Highly Modified Stone Mastic Asphalt (HMSMA6) on local roads and provides updates about the newly published guidance note. Furthermore, the paper also provides a comprehensive comparison of various LNRS materials and their effectiveness in reducing noise generated from various road types in Hong Kong.