Asphalt pavement represents up to 90% of paved surfaces in countries around the world, including urban areas in the desert southwest. However, asphalt materials are vulnerable to thermal cracking, and have a high thermal capacity which stores heat during the day and releases heat to surrounding areas at night. The project seeks to test a novel modified asphalt pavement by incorporating an additive to improve the thermal and mechanical characteristics of asphalt product. This modification is expected to reduce issues of rutting and thermal cracking in the pavement itself, while also mitigating the contribution of asphalt to urban heat issues.

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Healthy Urban Environments