Investigation of Parking Lot Pavements to Counteract Urban Heat Islands

Abstract

Urban heat islands (UHI) are one of the unequivocal effects of the ongoing process of climate change: anthropized areas suffer extreme heat events that affect the human perception of comfort. This study investigated the effects of road pavements as a passive countermeasure by comparing the air temperature (AT) and the predicted mean vote (PMV) for different surface materials used to pave a historical square in Rome, Italy. The software ENVI-met has been used to compare, for the whole year 2021, the performances of the existing asphalt pavement with five alternative solutions composed of light concrete, bricks, stone, wood, and grass. This paper proposed a new methodology to summarize the multi-dimensional results over both temporal and spatial domains. The results of the simulations in the evening of the hottest month showed the existing asphalt pavement gives the worst performance, while the light concrete blocks and the grass pavement ensure the coolest solutions in terms of AT (the average AT is 32 °C for the asphalt pavement and 30 °C for the modular one) and PMV (the maximum PMV value is 4.6 for the asphalt pavement and 4.4 for the modular and grass ones).

Causes of Asphalt Pavement Blistering: A Review

“…The currently most accredited hypothesis explains blistering with the following theory: during scorching summer days, exposure to solar radiation leads to high surface temperature values [55]. High air temperatures contribute to such conditions because the cooling capacity of the air is reduced.…”

Photovoltaic road pavements as a strategy for low-carbon urban infrastructures

“…According to the Italian standard for the promotion of the minimum environmental criteria (CAM) [ 37 ], this study investigates a sustainable layout to improve the microclimate conditions of an existing square in Italy and answer the current efforts in energy transition [ 38 ]. In previous studies, the authors investigated San Pietro in Vincula Square, in the historic centre of Rome, and demonstrated the effectiveness of cool pavements in terms of AT reduction and the well-being perceived by citizens [ 39 , 40 ]. In particular, the most recent research [ 41 ] proved that concrete pavers, surrounding greenery, and trees imply significant mitigation of UHI with an AT reduction higher than 3 °C, half MRT value, and a maximum PMV value equal to 2.2.…”

Evaluation of Microclimate Benefits Due to Cool Pavements and Green Infrastructures on Urban Heat Islands

“…The study area is St. Peter in Chains' square, in the historic center of Rome. In [38,39], the authors carried out microclimatic analyses in the same area and demonstrated the effectiveness of some different cool pavements in terms of PMV and AT values throughout the year. Due to urban planning restrictions and landscaping which constrain the design choices, light concrete slabs or a total grass layer in the parking area gave the best results, suggesting that an even greater UHI mitigation can be obtained by combining these two solutions, and the mechanical good performances of the modular pavements cannot be overlooked [40,41].…”