Cool Pavements: State of the Art and New Technologies

Sophia Kappou, Manolis Souliotis, Spiros Papaefthimiou, Giorgos Panaras, John A. Paravantis, Evanthie Michalena, Jeremy Maxwell Hills, Andreas P. Vouros, Aikaterini Ntymenou and Giouli Mihalakakou
Additional contact information
Sophia Kappou: Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Patras, 30100 Agrinio, Greece
Manolis Souliotis: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, 50100 Kozani, Greece
Spiros Papaefthimiou: School of Production Engineering & Management, Technical University of Crete, 73100 Chania, Greece
Giorgos Panaras: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Western Macedonia, 50100 Kozani, Greece
John A. Paravantis: Department of International and European Studies, University of Piraeus, 18534 Piraeus, Greece
Evanthie Michalena: Sustainability Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4558, Australia
Jeremy Maxwell Hills: Sustainability Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4558, Australia
Andreas P. Vouros: Department of Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
Aikaterini Ntymenou: Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Patras, 30100 Agrinio, Greece
Giouli Mihalakakou: Department of Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-32

Abstract: With growing urban populations, methods of reducing the urban heat island effect have become increasingly important. Cool pavements altering the heat storage of materials used in pavements can lead to lower surface temperatures and reduce the thermal radiation emitted to the atmosphere. Cool pavement technologies utilize various strategies to reduce the temperature of new and existing pavements, including increased albedo, evaporative cooling, and reduced heat conduction. This process of negative radiation forces helps offset the impacts of increasing atmospheric temperatures. This paper presents an extensive analysis of the state of the art of cool pavements. The properties and principles of cool pavements are reviewed, including reflectivity, thermal emittance, heat transfer, thermal capacity, and permeability. The different types, research directions, and applications of reflective pavements are outlined and discussed. Maintenance and restoration technologies of cool pavements are reviewed, including permeable pavements. Results show that cool pavements have significant temperature reduction potential in the urban environment. This research is important for policy actions of the European Union, noting that European and international business stakeholders have recently expressed their interest in new ways of reducing energy consumption through technologically advanced pavements.

Keywords: urban heat island; cool pavements; reduction of carbon dioxide; energy savings; reflectivity; thermal emittance; heat transfer; thermal capacity; energy policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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