Solar reflectance index of pedestrian pavements and their response to aging

Abstract

Due to the impact of the optical characteristics of the materials composing the urban envelopes on the energy balance of cities, their categorization according to their ability to decrease urban temperatures is an indispensable tool for sustainable development. This work presents the evaluation results of the thermal performance of the different pedestrian pavements available in the region, so as to classify them according to the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI). The study was carried out during a 2-year period, involving the analysis of the behaviour of 28 pavements in widely used compositions, shapes and colours. Additionally, the aging effect of the material was quantified over the SRI. The results show that 74% of pavements diminished their initial ability for decreasing temperatures, while 50% of the dark material, with initial negative performances, improved their thermal behavior.