The Thermal Impact of Various Pavement Materials on Outdoor Temperature in a Temperate Four-Season Climate: A Case Study of Arak City, Iran

Abstract

Urban heat and oasis effects significantly alter urban microclimates due to anthropogenic heat emissions and the thermal properties of urban surfaces. This study aims to quantitatively assess the thermal effects of different pavement types on outdoor temperatures across seasonal extremes in a temperate four-season climate. Conducted in Arak city, Iran, on 22 July and 22 January 2023, this research investigates both warm and cold seasons to provide a comprehensive understanding of pavement influence on urban microclimates throughout the year. Using the ENVI-met 5.0.3 modeling software, an environmental meteorology tool for simulating urban microclimates, the thermal performance of commonly used asphalt pavement was compared with alternative materials such as basalt and light-colored concrete on Dr. Hesabi Street. Simulation results reveal that basalt and light-colored concrete pavements reduce summer cooling loads by up to 3.49 degrees Celsius (°C), enhancing pedestrian thermal comfort, but simultaneously increase winter heating demands by 1.04 °C. This balance presents an optimal scenario to minimize adverse climate effects across seasons. The findings offer valuable insights for sustainable urban planning, promoting resilient city design strategies that mitigate heat and oasis effects in diverse climates. This study contributes actionable recommendations for urban planners seeking to balance thermal performance in temperate climates with seasonal variability.

Keywords

Pavements / Cooling load / Heating load / Outdoor temperature / Pedestrian level / ENVI-met

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support and guidance received during this study.

Author Contributions

M.A. conceived and designed the study and drafted the manuscript; R.A. performed the data analysis and interpretation; both authors revised the manuscript critically for intellectual content; both authors approved the final version and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Ethics Statement

This study did not involve human participants or animals and therefore did not require ethical approval.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable. This study did not involve human participants.

Data Availability Statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this article.

Funding

No funding was received.

Declaration of Competing Interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

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