Albedo of Pavement Surfacing Materials: In Situ Measurements Caroline Richard M.Sc. Candidate, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada. Guy Doré, Eng., Ph.D. Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada. Chantal Lemieux, M.Sc. Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada. Jean-Pascal Bilodeau, Eng., Ph.D. Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada. Jade Haure-Touzé University of Technology of Troyes, Troyes, France. Abstract: In order to limit heat intake in the ground underneath pavements, high albedo surfaces can be used in cold regions to mitigate permafrost degradation. In this study, experimental sections at Site Experimental Routier de l’Université Laval (Québec, 2014), on the Alaska Highway (Beaver Creek, Yukon, 2012 and 2014 and at km post 1786, Yukon, 2014), and in Tasiujaq (Nunavik, Québec, 2015) were used to document the effectiveness and durability of high albedo surfacing materials. The test sections were equipped with thermistors and data loggers recording surface temperatures. Albedo and skid resistance were also monitored at these sections. In addition to the experimental sites, several albedo measurements were made on asphalt surfaces to develop a relationship between albedo and pavement age. Keywords: Albedo; Pavement; Permafrost; Solar reflectance. 1 INTRODUCTION Due to global warming in northern regions, the consequences of thermal degradation of thaw sensitive permafrost have been observed and documented in the last few decades. The increase of air temperature affects surface temperature of pavements and will eventually induce thaw settlements of the ground. In ice-rich permafrost conditions, this will cause distortions as well as longitudinal cracking of the pavement, which can significantly affect road serviceability and performance. In addition, the construction or rehabilitation of a pavement structure makes it more vulnerable to heat intake due to the darkness of the new asphalt, which increases absorption of solar radiation (Doré and Zubeck 2009). Cold Regions Engineering 2015 181 © ASCE