Thermal Effectiveness of the Mitigation Techniques Tested at Beaver Creek Experimental Road Site Based on a Heat Balance Analysis: Yukon, Canada

To better understand permafrost degradation under roadways, 12 experimental sections were constructed on the Alaska Highway near Beaver Creek in April 2008. These techniques designed to prevent permafrost thawing are: air convection embankments, heat drains, snow/sun sheds, longitudinal culverts, light-coloured aggregate for road surfacing, snow plowing techniques and grass-covered embankment. This paper presents the results of the analysis on heat balance for each section during their first three years in service to determine the short term effectiveness of the techniques experimented.