Phoenix reflective road coating pilot reduces asphalt heat but increases pedestrian thermal exposure

A 2020 pilot program in Phoenix successfully lowered asphalt temperatures by 7 ºC using reflective coatings, but sensors revealed a rebound effect where solar radiation was redirected onto pedestrians. This highlights a critical unintended consequence in urban heat mitigation strategies, demonstrating that surface-level cooling can exacerbate thermal stress for individuals at street level.