Geothermal Energy Supply that Prevents Icing

Using geothermal energy for heating asphalt surfaces on bridge decks can prevent the need for winter maintenance, minimise the use of de-icing salt, and contribute to increased road safety. The _rst application of this bridge heating technology was implemented in 2010 on an arched composite road bridge, with a suspended deck in Germany. The objective of this trail is to warm the asphalt surfacing during winters. Such a system can also be used in the summer for cooling the asphalt layer in order to reduce the unwanted rutting and help minimise maintenance costs. The trial is carried out on behalf of BASt, the German Federal Highway Research Institute.