In many countries experiments with different types of road surfaces have produced such products as " whisper concrete ",
where some of the aggregate is left exposed and consequently there is only random tire contact.

Use of this surface reportedly reduces noise levels by as much as two decibles for light vehicles and one decible for heavy trucks.
Although this may not appear to be significant, a drop of three decibles on the average is equivalant to decreasing the noise from traffic by half !

Road builders now design highways that are hidden by barriers or banks of earth , thus effectively reducing noise.

Even where there is no room for this , especially designed fences, such as one in east London made of woven shoots and evergreen plants,
sheild residents near the highway from unwanted noise.