The Dallas Department of Public Works has invested over $2 million in testing “cooler roads” to combat the effects of climate change and the “urban heat island” effect. Currently, they are trialing “cool pavement” in a Northwest Dallas neighborhood.
According to The Dallas Morning News, cities like Phoenix and Los Angeles pioneered the use of “cool pavement,” and in 2021, San Antonio became the first city in Texas to implement it.
Urban areas such as Dallas, Miami, San Diego, Chicago, and the San Francisco Bay Area are classified as urban heat islands due to their dense concentration of sidewalks, asphalt, buildings, and other heat-retaining materials.
So far, the Dallas Department of Public Works has applied the cool pavement to approximately six miles of roads near W.T. White High School.
“This area was chosen because it features old, exposed concrete streets that have become polished over time,” explained Chris Lutz, the program administrator for the department.
Residents have expressed their appreciation for the improvements. “I noticed when they repaved some of the roads,” said Jennifer Nachowiak. “They look much nicer and feel smoother.”
Lutz detailed the trial’s cost and functionality. “We’ve spent over $2 million on this project. Cool paving involves applying a 2 to 3mm surface coating to existing concrete roads. The product contains titanium, which reflects sunlight and helps reduce heat absorption,” he said.
David Weber, a local resident and avid walker, observed a significant difference. “I saw them resurfacing the streets about a year ago and learned it was a protective coating. On hot days over 100 degrees, I wouldn’t normally walk, but now I can,” Weber said.
Lutz reported that the cool pavement has reduced surface temperatures by at least 10 degrees. “We measured 113 degrees on untreated concrete compared to 103 degrees on the treated surface,” he noted.
“It’s definitely cooler underfoot,” Weber added. “This neighborhood is around 60 years old, so repairing the streets is important. The cool pavement makes walking more pleasant, especially with our dogs.”
The product is designed to last up to 20 years, and city leaders will review the program’s results in the fall to decide whether to extend it to other parts of Dallas.
