Cool Pavement

Cool Pavement in Santa Ana

The Neighborhood Initiatives and Environmental Services (NIES) program applied for and received Community Development Block Grant funding to have Cool Pavement treatment at community parks. NIES collaborated with staff from the Public Works Agency’s Park Services Section to identify park construction projects planned. The first project identified was asphalt coating and restriping at Madison Park parking lot of 41,400 sq. ft. and Campesino Park parking lot area of 10,400 sq. ft. Cool Pavement treatment at both parks will begin in early 2025. The second Cool Pavement treatment will be at Angels Community Park Basketball Court with ADA improvements and upgraded lighting.

What is Cool Pavement?

Cool pavement is paving material that reflects more solar energy compared to traditional asphalt. This helps reduce surface temperatures. It’s often made with lighter-colored materials or special coatings that increase reflectivity. Cool pavement can help mitigate the urban heat island effect, which in urban areas becomes significantly warmer than rural areas. Dark surfaces such as roads and rooftops causes heat to be trapped keeping buildings warmer at night. Cool Pavement can improve comfort for pedestrians, reduce energy cooling for buildings, and improve the air quality.

What are additional benefits of Cool Pavement?

  • Reduced storm water runoff and improved water quality: Permeable pavements can allow storm water to soak into the pavement and soil, reducing runoff and filtering pollutants. Both permeable and non-permeable cool pavements can also help lower the temperature of runoff, resulting in less thermal shock to aquatic life in the waterways into which stormwater drains.
  • Lower tire noise: The open pores of permeable pavements can reduce tire noise by two to eight decibels and keep noise levels below 75 decibels, although noise reduction may decline over time.
  • Enhanced safety: Permeable roadway pavements can improve safety by reducing water spray from moving vehicles and increasing traction through better water drainage.
  • Better nighttime visibility: Reflective pavements can enhance visibility at night, potentially reducing lighting requirements and saving both money and energy.
  • Improved local comfort: Cool pavements in parking lots or other areas where people congregate or children play can provide a more comfortable environment.

Source: www.epa.gov/heatislands/using-cool-pavements-reduce-heat-islands

 

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