Surface temperature in sliding contact systems has a considerable effect on friction and wear mechanisms, and thus the system performances. Hence its knowledge is crucial for the design of these systems. This is a complex challenge since real surfaces are rough and the contact area depends on several factors. Thus, the aim of this paper is to present an efficient thermal contact model allowing to study the transient rise of temperature and heat partition in sliding contact systems considering surface roughness. This model is based on the heat source theory. The produced heat is computed based on a contact mechanics model considering roughness. In addition to roughness, a thermal interface layer made of wear debris is considered within micro-contact zones which leads to a discontinuity of temperature at the scale of asperities. If the interface layer is considered, heat is generated within it. Otherwise, the generation of heat is at the top of surface asperities and the continuity of temperature is assumed. The numerical problem is solved using optimization techniques and the Fast Fourier Transform to accelerate calculations. A parametric study is presented with the aim to highlight the effects of material properties, roughness, velocity and the interface layer on the partition of heat and surface temperature. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.