Scientists link temperature and colour of pavement to find out which of its compounds may have a negative impact on the environment
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed a paving which could mitigate the greenhouse gas emissions. The innovation of the pavement is its ability to regulating the surface temperature which, for the time being, are impenetrable due to the density of the materials from which they are constructed.
Pavements are a plentiful urban surface that is cover covers around the 40% of cities in the United States. In addition to being the means of transportation in the United States, they are a source of heat which can be used as a source of energy. increase the air temperature by up to 4.2 degrees Celsius.
In response, scientists at the MIT Concrete Sustainability are studying how a surface can decrease the intensity of the heat emanating. His research focused on "Cold pavements", i.e. a pavement that reflects more solar radiation and emits less heat compared to conventional paved surfaces.
Its report describes how cold pavements can reduce the risk of air temperatures up to 2.1 degrees Celsius and 1.7 degrees Celsius in the cities of Boston and Phoenix, respectively. "Achieving these savings requires cold pavement strategies based on climate, traffic and city configurations".he said Hessam AzariJafrico-author of the study.
Hessam AzariJafri also explained that the surfaces with a low level of albedo (metric for measuring the reflectivity of a surface), they absorb more light and tend to be darker. On the other hand, when surfaces have a high albedo index are brighter and reflect more light.
Some materials such as concrete are able to reflect sunlight to regulate the temperature of the pavement, and lower the temperature of buildings. "Surfaces with a high albedo index tend to be brighter and reflect more light, which allows them to have lower temperatures".said AzariJafri.
For a comprehensive understanding of the environmental benefits of cold pavements, the researchers had to look beyond the conventional materials used to build roads.. This resulted in a classification of three types of pavement: reflective asphalt, concrete and reflective concrete.
This classification also allowed them to analysing the impacts incorporated for all types of pavements and the effect of pavement type on the vehicle's excess fuel consumption. "We did an analysis of the environmental impact of the pavement by calculating three factors: the stiffness and the rate of deterioration of the surface". AzariJafri said.
So far, scientists at MIT are working on a new project, which will allow them to eThe aim is to thoroughly study each of the materials in order to create more environmentally friendly cement.. To this end, it wants to guide future fresh paving projects for highways and roads in the United States to help cities and address climate change.
