Study on the solar-thermal effect mechanism and energy balance relationship of heat-reflective pavement model in cold region

Jiwei Wang, Jingde Zhao, Xiangtian Xu, Mingyi Zhang, Yuhang Liu, Ruiqiang Bai, Yongtao Wang and Xiangbing Kong

Energy, 2025, vol. 324, issue C

Abstract: Against the backdrop of global warming and accelerated urbanization, the proliferation of dark asphalt pavements has exacerbated urban heat island effects and highway damage in cold regions. Heat-reflective pavement, a promising cooling pavement technology, has yet to be systematically studied in terms of experimental models, solar-thermal mechanisms, and energy balance. Relevant studies are still relatively scarce in typical cold regions. This paper attempts to address this gap by conducting experimental and theoretical analyses of heat-reflective pavements in typical cold regions. The findings reveal significant seasonal and climatic variations in the solar-thermal characteristics of these pavements. Heat-reflective pavements notably reduce the maximum, annual average, and amplitude of temperature and heat flux in asphalt surfaces, as well as the N-factor variation. Increasing pavement albedo from 0.05 to 0.78 results in a reduction of the annual average temperature and heat flux by approximately 4 °C and 12 W/m2. Furthermore, heat-reflective coatings significantly modify the energy balance of pavement surface, including the magnitudes, patterns, and proportions of heat exchanges. A new simple method for determining the upper thermal boundary conditions of heat-reflective pavements is proposed. The research results provide data accumulation and theoretical support for mitigating urban heat island effects and improving the thermal stability of permafrost embankments.

Keywords: Heat-reflective pavement; Energy balance; Solar-thermal effect mechanism; Cold region; Heat-reflective coating; Urban heat island effect (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:324:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225015865

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135944

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