The goal of this research is to improve the procedures used to analyze albedo and solar radiation flux of asphalt pavements.

The methodology of measuring albedo and solar radiation flux of pavements has been borrowed from agriculture research and has been applied in two different methodologies to date. The first is in-situ testing, which requires lane closures. The second is testing on large test plots paved in an open space, which limits the type of variation between pavement parameters that can be tested and does not easily allow for three samples to be tested simultaneously (due to space, cost, and time limitations).

The ability to test three samples simultaneously would allow for repeatability of measurements and would provide results with statistical significance. This has yet to be done. In addition, the equipment being used has varied from project to project and new equipment has become available that will provide better results.