Cooling and Porous Pavements- Addressing Heat Islands in Cities
https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/using-cool-pavements-reduce-heat-islands
https://www.phoenix.gov/streets/coolpavement
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As we head towards Summer, heat is a hazard we will face, especially in populated paved areas. As we have become more urban and sprawl has persisted, heat islands are being created in which increased heat, runoff and noise from traffic are intensified. Cooling pavements and roads are advancing in technology and usage, and this is an area many companies and researchers are focusing on.
Heat islands are areas in urban enviroments that are warmer than surrounding areas due to building materials used and pavement in the area. Pavement can reach between 120-150 degrees Fahrenheit during the Summer, posing a risk to local residents and travelers alike. Breakthroughs in cooling pavements have helped to reduce risk to those who live and work in urban enviroments.
Cooling pavements are often porous, which reduces water runoff and noise. When rain hits the pavement and road during Summer storms, there is a risk of flooding and loss of control by drivers. Porous pavement can reduce the heat island effect along with reducing pollution from water runoff and reducing the temperature of water that enter storm drains to reduce strain on water systems. Porous pavement is a good way to more holistically reduce the damage that heat islands can produce to both pedestrians, city dwellers and the water systems that support cities.
A recent study of cooling pavement additives and coating was conducted in Phoenix, Arizona, one of the warmest cities in the United States. The study showed the pavement treated with a cooling coating stayed approximately 10 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than normal asphalt and that the area temperature was 5 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than areas surrounded by normal pavement and asphalt. The coating lasted 10-months before effects diminished, so coatings need to be re-applied annually in this case to maintain their potent temperature reducing qualities. Porous pavement addresses noise, water and some heat, so a combination of a treated porous pavement could be the answer urban planners are looking for to reduce heat islands.
As the world becomes more urbanized and sprawl spreads, we need to address the issue of pavement surface heating. Heat islands are a reality, and cooling and porous pavement offer a good start to addressing the issue.
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