The Economic Times

Philadelphia painted black pavement with a light-coloured coating to fight extreme heat. A year later, researchers found one clear difference

To tackle urban heat island effects, Philadelphia is trialing cool pavement solutions. In Hunting Park, a reflective light-colored coating was applied to the asphalt, and initial observations reveal it remains cooler than conventional surfaces. The influence on air temperatures is yet to be confirmed. Scientists are currently testing an additional layer to improve cooling capabilities, aiming to determine if reflective pavement could be key in combating extreme heat.