This paper presents the most widespread materials and technological solutions of pavement systems on bridge decks used in countries of central Europe, including Poland, with particular emphasis on the impact of high process temperatures on bridge surfacing systems durability. In Europe, the dominant system solutions on bridges is to lay on the steel or concrete deck bridge waterproofing layer (insulation) and then asphalt layers, consisting of waterproofing protective course and a wearing course. For the bridge pavements several kinds of asphalt mixtures containing polymer modified bitumen can be used. In recent years, the protective and wearing courses are mostly built from mastic asphalt. In the research was proved that the impact of high process temperatures (above 250°C) was particularly destructive for commonly used polymer modified bitumen in bridge pavements and waterproofing layers.

bitumen; polymer; waterproofing; bridge pavement