In 2020, Phoenix coated 36 miles of roads to fight extreme heat; surfaces became 12°F cooler at noon

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.



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