San Antonio launches pilot program to reduce extreme heat risks with cool pavement installation
Published: Tue, 07/18/23
San Antonio launches pilot program to reduce extreme heat risks with cool pavement installation
If successful, the program could be expanded to other areas of the city in coming years.
Screenshot / @COSAGOV on Twitter
San Antonio Current
By Brandon Rodriguez
Mon, Jul 17, 2023 at 2:30 pm
The City of San Antonio is spending $1 million installing a water-based asphalt treatment, known as cool pavement, to combat extreme heat.
In 2021, San Antonio became the first city in Texas to test heat-reducing treatments on a small stretch of asphalt at the east end of the Hays Street Bridge, according to city officials. Last week, the city concluded cool pavement applications on certain sections of roadway throughout all council districts.
The installation is part of a new citywide program to reduce the reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses and improve comfort for residents and visitors, officials added.
For the next six months city staff and researchers from the University of Texas at San Antonio will track which types of pavement application work best to reduce temperatures. If successful, the program could be expanded to other areas of the city in coming years.
Cool pavement is made from a specially designed material that reflects sunlight and reduces the amount of heat absorbed by the pavement. Traditional asphalt can reach temperatures of up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit on hot days.
Funding for the program comes from San Antonio's Resiliency, Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Program Fund. The city prioritized areas with high extreme heat scores, poverty and percentage of people of color, according to program officials.
A full list of project locations can be found on the COSA website.