Reflectivity and Durability Assessment of Solar Heat-Blocking Pavement

Abstract

In recent years, there is growing awareness of environmental issues, such as global warming and climate change. As asphalt pavement covers approximately twenty per cent of urban areas, it is considered to be a factor in the “urban heat island phenomenon”. In order to tackle this problem from a paving perspective, solar heat-blocking pavement has been developed and applied as cool pavement technology to achieve the following benefits: a reduction in surface temperature and mitigation of urban heat. This paper describes a reflectivity and durability assessment of solar heat-blocking pavement in the laboratory and field, with the following conclusions being drawn from this study. With regard to the albedo characteristics, laboratory and field results show that the reduction in surface temperature is significantly related to the albedo characteristics. In terms of pavement durability in the laboratory and field, the surface of the solar heat-blocking pavement is strong enough for traffic loading, compared to dense-grade asphalt surfaces. Finally, the relationship between reflectivity and durability of solar heat-blocking pavement is highlighted through field monitoring results.