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REFLECTIVE PROPERTIES OF ASPHALT AND CONCRETE SURFACES 
K. STAENZ* AND K.I. ITTEN 
Department of Geography, Remote Sensing Section 
University of Zurich 
P.O. Box 8033 
Zurich, Switzerland 
ABSTRACT 
Radiometric field measurements of eight asphalt and concrete surface 
types were collected with a Landsat MSS-compatible EXOTECH 100 radiometer to 
investigate its reflective properties, and to assess the suitability of these 
objects as reference targets for intercalibration of ground, airborne, and 
satellite data. 
This experiment indicates that the asphalt as well as the concrete 
surfaces can be in general recommended as standard reflectors. However, the 
reflectance factor of concrete showing a distinct surface structure (grooves, 
etc.) is dependent on the illumination and viewing geometry (target geometry) 
and therefore, not constant over a specific time period. Those targets can not 
be considered as an ideal reference, compared to a slightly rough (fine 
grained) surface. 
The results also show a wide range in reflectance factor of 
different asphalt (concrete) types of 5-11Z (9-352) in the visible and 6-13Z 
(12-40%) in the near infrared radiometer (Landsat MSS) bands. This variation 
of the reflectance factor can be mainly referred to the material composition, 
surface structure, age (weathering process) as well as the illumination/viewing 
geometry. 
* Now with INTERA Environmental Consultants Ltd., Ottawa, at Canada 
Centre for Remote Sensing, Ottawa, Canada. 
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