Abstract: The disclosure relates to a road noise reducing system including a wheel rim having a barrel, a first layer of acoustic metamaterial with a first plurality of open cells mounted on the barrel, and, optionally, a second layer of acoustic metamaterial with a second plurality of open cells in contact with the first layer of acoustic metamaterial. The system optionally includes a pneumatic tire with a hollow, wherein the tire is mounted on the wheel rim such that the hollow forms a closed cavity and can incorporate additional elements including an elastomeric membrane, a noise-absorbing foam, and/or a resonator. The system has a sound transmission loss of at least 20-35 dB at frequencies of 50 Hz to 2,000 Hz and can reduce tire-road interaction noise by at least 50-70%. Also disclosed are methods of making road noise reducing wheel and tire assemblies, automobiles incorporating the same, and methods for reducing tire-road interaction noise.