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.