Systematic Literature Review Evaluating Readiness of Novel Materials and Improved Pedestrian Infrastructure to Mitigate Heat
Conference Year
2024
Abstract
Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related mortality in the United States and is projected to increase in frequency and extent under climate change. Transportation infrastructure is a significant driver of urban heat islands (UHI) and extreme heat micro-environments, including in smaller cities and towns. Efforts to mitigate UHI often focus on reflecting solar radiation (e.g. increasing surface albedo) and shading (e.g. planting street trees); however, alterative and novel paving materials (ANM) that reduce heat storage or green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) that promotes evaporative cooling offer additional heat mitigation pathways. Sidewalks, which facilitate non-motorized transportation, are relatively low risk, low cost and have low structural requirements compared to other transportation infrastructure and therefore offer a logical test bed for new materials and designs. With thermal comfort, safety and efficiency for users in mind, environmentally responsible designs also minimize material embedded energy and maintain natural ecosystems and processes. ANMs hold significant promise in these arenas however have not yet achieved widespread implementation. We here review the growing literature related to the application of ANMs and GSI to reduce UHI. We find that gaps exist within the peer-reviewed literature including a lack of studies evaluating of the durability of alternative pavements under snow ice and in chloride rich environments found under winter conditions at northern latitudes, as well as in certain geographies including the global south and northern latitude environments.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Elizabeth Doran
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences
Program/Major
Civil Engineering
Primary Research Category
Engineering and Math Science
Systematic Literature Review Evaluating Readiness of Novel Materials and Improved Pedestrian Infrastructure to Mitigate Heat
Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related mortality in the United States and is projected to increase in frequency and extent under climate change. Transportation infrastructure is a significant driver of urban heat islands (UHI) and extreme heat micro-environments, including in smaller cities and towns. Efforts to mitigate UHI often focus on reflecting solar radiation (e.g. increasing surface albedo) and shading (e.g. planting street trees); however, alterative and novel paving materials (ANM) that reduce heat storage or green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) that promotes evaporative cooling offer additional heat mitigation pathways. Sidewalks, which facilitate non-motorized transportation, are relatively low risk, low cost and have low structural requirements compared to other transportation infrastructure and therefore offer a logical test bed for new materials and designs. With thermal comfort, safety and efficiency for users in mind, environmentally responsible designs also minimize material embedded energy and maintain natural ecosystems and processes. ANMs hold significant promise in these arenas however have not yet achieved widespread implementation. We here review the growing literature related to the application of ANMs and GSI to reduce UHI. We find that gaps exist within the peer-reviewed literature including a lack of studies evaluating of the durability of alternative pavements under snow ice and in chloride rich environments found under winter conditions at northern latitudes, as well as in certain geographies including the global south and northern latitude environments.