Times of India · DistrictNews · 2026-08-23
Phoenix cool pavement cut road heat by 12F but raised pedestrian heat exposure
Phoenix has implemented a reflective coating on its roads to mitigate urban heat island effects, effectively reducing asphalt temperatures during daylight hours. However, researchers observed that this treatment inadvertently intensified heat radiation exposure for pedestrians in close proximity. They concluded that incorporating shade from trees and buildings is essential for enhancing human comfort, suggesting cities explore a variety of solutions beyond just reflective coatings to address rising temperatures. Painting city streets with a light-coloured, reflective coating can cool the asphalt underneath, but it can also increase heat exposure for people walking on the road. That unexpected trade-off emerged from a major trial in the American Southwest. Phoenix cool pavement cut road heat by 12F but raised pedestrian heat exposure
Read original on Times of India Get the app
Licensed summary · LicensedSummary
Related briefs
- Alaska eradicated rats from Aleutian island; native birds surged within 2 years
- ICAR registers 16 new breeds of indigenous animals including four cattle
- Doctor assaulted by patient’s son inside Maharashtra hospital, FIR registered
- Alabama students turn old Christmas trees into Gulf Coast dune protection
- MAGA skids on maple syrup: US-Canada ties on a slippery slope