Sensitivity analysis for the design optimisation of an energy tunnel based hydronic heated pavement

To cope with road safety management during cold seasons, chemical agents such as sodium, magnesium and calcium chlorides are usually chosen for their effectiveness and rapidity of action. However, besides accelerating road pavement degradation, these may also induce several environmental damages, such as altering the chemical composition of aquifers. For this reason, electric- or hydronic-based solutions have been explored, developed and tested successfully. The paper investigates the performance of a hydronic heated pavement supplied by an energy tunnel as a function of geometrical, operational and environmental factors. Thermo-hydraulic numerical analyses are adopted to guide the realisation of a full-scale prototype of an anti-icing system in an existing tunnel in the North-West of Italy. An economic assessment is then presented.