Increasing heat has become a major concern in many parts of the world, and the urban heat island effect (UHIE) is one of the largest contributors to this problem. As the volume of hard surfaces like roads and carparks increases, so does the temperature. Without adapting the built environment, some places are going to be too hot to live in. But what if there was a solution that could mitigate the UHIE?

Enter CoolSeal, an innovative solution that has been tested and proven in the longest field-based environmental monitoring program of its kind in Australia. The monitoring program was designed to document the cooling benefits of a reflective surface coat beyond reduced surface temperatures, and it found that CoolSeal is a viable option to help mitigate the UHIE in Western Sydney.

The Cool Roads Trial collected unequivocal evidence that applying a highly reflective surface coat to roads and carparks in Western Sydney reduced surface temperatures by up to 11°C. This trial also assessed microclimatic effects, indicating that CoolSeal positively influenced site microclimate. Applying these technologies at larger scales might produce more uniform cooling outcomes, and modelling studies have indicated this is the case.

With increasing temperatures becoming a real threat to populations and economies worldwide, it's important to mitigate the negative impacts of heat. The CoolSeal solution addresses the contribution of pavements to local heat, and the Cool Roads Trial established important information for the management of heat in Western Sydney and beyond. Increasing the albedo of roads and carparks will help reduce surface UHIE effects due to lower surface temperatures.

If you're interested in learning more about this innovative solution click here, we recommend reading the research paper detailing the CoolSeal trial. It's a must-read for anyone concerned about the impact of urban heat on our cities and communities.