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Pavement Temperature Formula:
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Pavement temperature refers to the actual surface temperature of roadways and other paved surfaces, which can be significantly higher than ambient air temperature due to solar radiation absorption and heat retention properties of pavement materials.
The calculator uses the empirical formula:
Where:
Explanation: This empirical relationship accounts for the heat absorption and retention characteristics of pavement materials under sunny conditions.
Details: Accurate pavement temperature estimation is crucial for road safety, construction planning, heat island effect studies, and understanding vehicle tire performance and road surface conditions.
Tips: Enter air temperature in °F and select an adjustment factor between 20-30°F based on sunlight intensity. Higher values (25-30°F) are for strong sunlight, lower values (20-25°F) for moderate sunlight.
Q1: Why is pavement temperature higher than air temperature?
A: Pavement materials like asphalt and concrete absorb solar radiation efficiently and have high heat capacity, causing them to heat up significantly more than the surrounding air.
Q2: How accurate is this estimation method?
A: This is an empirical approximation. Actual pavement temperature can vary based on material type, color, cloud cover, wind speed, and time of day.
Q3: What factors affect pavement temperature?
A: Key factors include solar radiation intensity, pavement material and color, ambient air temperature, wind speed, cloud cover, and moisture content.
Q4: When are pavement temperatures typically highest?
A: Pavement temperatures usually peak in mid-afternoon (2-4 PM), several hours after solar noon, due to thermal inertia.
Q5: How does pavement temperature affect driving conditions?
A: High pavement temperatures can soften asphalt, increase tire pressure, reduce tire traction, and contribute to heat-related vehicle issues.