Anyone living near a highway or even a speedy street knows that the sound of tires on pavement is the primary component of bothersome traffic noise. “Quiet pavement” consisting of rubberized asphalt (from recycled tires) is one solution to the problem. The Federal Highway Administration only recognizes sound walls as an official noise mitigation solution, but it encourages states to create pilot programs to research quiet pavement. California, not surprisingly, has taken on an ambituous study of various pavement solutions over the past several years. Caltrans has tested multiple techniques, sometimes in the same section of a wide highway: grinding the hard asphalt surfaces to reduce tire noise and applying various kinds of rubberized asphalt overlay. The rubberized asphalt produces the best dB reduction overall, but, interestingly, pavement grinding to create a quieter surface texture satisfied the ears of those living nearby. Data showed a difference in the low and high frequencies of the resulting noise for the various methods, which explains the success of the grinding method. Arizona and other statues have been piloting quiet pavement also. With unique climate concerns and driving conditions, it’s likely each state will find its own set of best solutions and apply them not on the loudest roads but near the loudest complainers.