Why does newly paved asphalt sound so much quieter when driving over it?
In: Engineering
The asphalt actually remains liquid and gradually flows downward as it ages, exposing the rock aggregate and shifting the surface profile from what starts as flat to more pebbly. The gaps between the pebbles cause extra noise because tires expand into and out of them as they roll on over.
Fun fact: roads near exposed sand like beaches or deserts tend to remain quiet because the sand getting blown on fills in those gaps as they form.
Fun fact #2: asphalt is near 100% recyclable. Just lift it up and heat it enough and the liquid will flow freely again and the whole mix can then be reapplied.
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