21. The expert from CEDR presented the experiences of his organization and its members regarding the use of noise reducing pavements (GRB-61-16). Such pavements were found to be more cost-effective than noise barriers and to reduce noise levels with 2 to 3 dB (max. 6 dB). On the other hand, the lifetime of noise reducing pavements is less than the one of non-noise reducing pavements and the investment costs of noise reducing pavements is higher than the costs of non-noise reducing pavements.

22. GRB noted that three factors contribute to the overall noise production: vehicles, tyres and road surfaces. Thus, a holistic approach should be followed to reduce sound emissions. The Chair recalled that, at present, UN Regulations do not address the issue of road surfaces and that GRB has no mandate for regulating pavements. GRB agreed to continue this discussion at its next session and looked forward to new studies and presentations on the issue.