Musical roads

EXIST IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES INCLUDING DENMARK, HUNGARY, JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA, THE UNITED STATES, CHINA

The Musical Roads project involves creating pavement with grooves or elevated discs that generate sounds as cars drive over them, producing a melody. The project has been implemented in various countries for marketing, tourism, and driver awareness purposes. However, the project has encountered mixed outcomes over time, with some residents complaining about the continuous sound and potential damage to vehicles.

Steen Krarup Jensen and Jakob Freud-Magnus building the Asphaltophone [2].

1995

CONTEXT

Musical roads are an innovative way to blend music and transportation, providing drivers with a unique sensory experience. The idea has spread around the world, and musical roads can now be found in various countries such as South Korea, Denmark, and the United States [1]. Musical roads can be designed to play different types of music, including popular songs. They can be used for promotional purposes, such as advertising a particular tourist attraction. Additionally, musical roads can also serve as a form of public art, adding a creative element to the urban landscape. Apart from their entertainment value, musical roads have practical applications as well. They can be used to encourage drivers to stay alert and focused on the road, as the change in sounds can grab their attention and prevent them from getting distracted or falling asleep at the wheel [2].

INTERVENTION STRATEGIES

By varying the spacing between the strips on the road, the frequency of vibrations produced by passing cars can be changed, creating a unique sound. The pitch of the sound is affected by several factors, including the width and material of the tire. This kind of soundscape intervention does not directly produce sound but changes the environment and can only produce sound with user interaction.

Present Day

OBSERVATIONS

Musical roads had mixed results as nearby residents grew tired of the constant sound and the strips potentially damaging tires, leading to decreased enthusiasm, particularly in residential areas [1].

References

[1] Payne, S. R., Davies, W. J., & Adams, M. D. (2009). Research into the practical and policy applications of soundscape concepts and techniques in urban areas.

[2] Musical roads of the world. Retrieved 7th March 2023, from https://crab.wordpress.com/2009/01/19/musical-roads-of-the-world/

Entry submitted by: Xiaochao Chen