Roadside Noise from the Interaction of a Rolling Tire with the Road Surface

As noise from ground transportation vehicles continues to arouse public concern, physical understanding of the various noise sources becomes essential in seeking means to quiet vehicles. Tires are one of the perdominant noise sources on trucks and automobiles. This study analyzes the various mechanisms by which noise can be generated by the interaction of a rolling tire with the roadway surface. Physical models are presented for the “air pumping” vibrational and aerodynamic noise mechanisms, which are then rank-ordered in sound-producing capability for several classes of vehicles. Results of limited experiments are discussed, and measured data are interpreted in terms of the physical models.