Artificial Turf May be Too Hot for Summer Use
Great Water-Saving Alternative to Grass Needs to be Improved for Recreational Use, Study Says
Replacing natural grass with artificial turf on recreational fields and parks can save water and money, but may be too hot for recreational use in the summer. A study finds that surface temperatures on artificial turfgrass far exceed those of other surfaces.
Researchers from UNLV and the Desert Research Institute (DRI) found that the maximum surface temperature of green artificial turfgrass was approximately 69 degrees F higher than irrigated natural grass and 62 degrees F higher than air temperature. The study recorded surface temperatures as high as 169 degrees F, or 46 degrees higher than what is considered safe for extended use.
"Surface temperatures during the summer months could entirely preclude recreational use on artificial turfgrass during daytime hours, thereby offsetting any benefits realized by reduced irrigation," said Dale Devitt, professor of soil and water. "Green artificial turfgrass reacted much more quickly to solar radiation than did any other surface in our study, including concrete, asphalt, natural grass, and white artificial turfgrass."
Studying Different Surfaces
Researchers studied different landscape surfaces at a Las Vegas city park and an artificial turfgrass system at the UNLV greenhouse complex. They collected data on:
- surface temperature
- spectral reflectance
- solar radiation
- air temperatures
They also monitored the amount of energy absorption and heat distribution within a test plot of artificial turfgrass installed and maintained by the Las Vegas department of park maintenance.
While the findings suggest product material and construction contribute to elevated temperatures, the researchers note that the study was only conducted on one kind of artificial turfgrass. Results might differ with other artificial turfgrass products.
Research is Required
Devitt notes that this study is not intended to provide a rationale against the use of artificial turfgrass, but rather a caveat to park managers when selecting ground covering. He encourages them to investigate all available products before purchasing artificial turfgrass and to consider using more reflective colors to minimize surface temperatures.
"This research shows that improvements to the product are critical if we are to continue using artificial turf as both a water-conservation tool and as a playable surface for our parks and sporting fields," Devitt said.
Michael H. Young, associate research scientist at DRI, and UNLV graduate students Malika Baghzouz and Brian Bird also contributed to the study. Their research was published in the Journal of Turfgrass and Sports Surface Science and was funded in part by the city of Las Vegas.
Related Information
Dale Devitt
Michael Young
Journal of Turfgrass and Sports Surface Science
