Los Angeles has deployed a novel strategy to combat extreme summer heat by coating more than 700,000 square feet of asphalt in the Pacoima neighborhood with a specialized solar-reflective material. The initiative, aimed at cooling one of the San Fernando Valley's hottest areas, has shown promising results in reducing surface and air temperatures.
During a recent heatwave, where temperatures were expected to reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit and prompted a National Weather Service advisory, the treated pavement slashed surface temperatures by over 16 degrees Fahrenheit. Ambient air temperatures along the affected streets also decreased by up to 3.4 degrees Fahrenheit, according to findings published in Environmental Research Communications.
The reflective coating, known as DuraShield-SR, functions by reflecting solar rays back into the atmosphere, preventing the traditional asphalt from absorbing and retaining heat. This method distinguishes "cool pavement" from conventional dark-top surfaces, which act like heat sponges.
To rigorously test the technology's efficacy, researchers conducted a year-long study utilizing a comprehensive suite of monitoring tools. These included weather stations, satellite imagery, drones, thermal sensors, and an electric golf cart equipped with monitoring equipment. Despite initial concerns about potential blinding glare from the reflective surface, the experiment reported no significant glare issues.
The project encompassed approximately 18 blocks surrounding Hubert H. Humphrey Memorial Park, treating streets, parking lots, playgrounds, and recreational areas that were previously covered in dark asphalt. The effort is particularly timely as Southern California continues to experience punishing heatwaves.