UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies

This dissertation research examines the effects of different cool pavement design and management strategies on improving the thermal environment and mitigating near-surface heat island effects through field measurements, modeling and simulation. In this research, nine experimental test sections were designed, constructed and instrumented and the thermal performance of different types of pavements and management strategies were empirically investigated. A local microclimate model was developed, validated and applied to conduct sensitivity analysis on some key parameters to evaluate the thermal impacts of different cool pavement strategies in different climate regions. In addition, the impacts of different strategies on outdoor human thermal comfort were evaluated for different climate regions (Sacramento and Los Angeles in California and Phoenix in Arizona). One type of thermal load associated with building energy use was evaluated for Davis, California. Preliminary recommendations on the application of cool pavement strategies for mitigating near-surface heat island are: Pave less and plant more; use permeable pavements; use care when using high-reflectance pavements; consider evaporation and shading; use models developed in this study; perform life cycle cost analysis and/or benefit-cost analysis, as well environmental life cycle assessment.