Effects of speeds and weights of travelling vehicles on the road surface temperature

Abstract

It is important to predict the fatigue conditions of in-service roads for monitoring the state of internal pavement layers, planning the routine maintenance services and for ensuring the safety of travelling vehicles. Among various factors, the frictional heat generated by the tires of moving vehicles is considered to be an important factor causing such a distress in in-service roads. Because of this frictional heat, the temperature of wheel tracks is slightly warmer than other parts of the pavement, thereby, causing a non-uniform distribution of road surface temperature (RST) that may be responsible for developing cracks and subsequent increase in permeability of existing roads. In this study, the effect of travelling vehicles on the RST was investigated by using an infrared (IR) camera in an in-service road. In order to know the actual distribution of temperature, the RSTs were compared between the wheel track of each lane and in-between lanes. Then, the effect of speeds and weights of travelling vehicles on the RST was investigated. A bridge weigh-in-motion (BWIM) system using MEMS accelerometers was utilized to identify the speed and weight of a travelling vehicle. A strong correlation was observed between the rise of RST of wheel tracks due to the friction with the speeds and weights of travelling vehicles. The rate of increase in surface temperature was observed to be higher for the higher axle vehicles. Additionally, an influence of ambient air temperature was observed on the relationship between the rise of RST with the speeds and weights of travelling vehicles.