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-Signs, Portents, and the Weather-
LA Painting Streets White to Combat Climate Change
2018-04-18
[FoxNews] Officials in Los Angeles have been painting streets white to reduce the effect of urban "heat islands" and combat the effects of climate change.
Wait, I thought climate change was from CO2. Now the materials used to build cities is contributing, too?
The LA Street Services began rolling out the project last May, which preliminary testing shows has reduced the temperature of roadways by up to 10 degrees. The project involves applying a light gray coating of the product CoolSeal, made by the company GuardTop.
So where does the energy go, that used to be absorbed by the pavement? Perhaps the energy is destroyed by the CoolSeal, or converted into unicorn food?
"CoolSeal is applied like conventional sealcoats to asphalt surfaces to protect and maintain the quality and longevity of the surface," according to the company website. "While most cool pavements on the market are polymer based, CoolSeal is a water-based, asphalt emulsion."
The water evaporates, leaving the asphalt - you know, that icky fossil fuel stuff?
While each coasting could can last up to seven years, they are also pricey, with the estimated cost of $40,000 per mile, the L.A. Daily News reported.
I can't seem to find anything about this magical product at the company's website. Maybe someone calculated the energy 'savings'?
Posted by:Bobby

#17  The problem with concrete is someone idiot always has to sign their name in the stuff before it dries.

If LA was smart they'd sell of the rights for folks to sign and otherwise mark up the sidewalk sections of new concrete streets. Encourage groups to purchase them make a game of it with best design competitions and such. Donate a few for public relations and all that.
Posted by: rjschwarz   2018-04-18 22:41  

#16  Abu - those streets are nice...til the first utility company has to trench for underground or upgraded facilities. We HAVE to use them on really steeply-sloped streets due to asphalt creep during summer heat. Think Pt. Loma, OB, Mission Hills...
Posted by: Frank G   2018-04-18 21:53  

#15  Wait... isn't white asphalt a little... racist?
Posted by: CrazyFool   2018-04-18 19:32  

#14  Won't the urine and fecal stains take the shine off the pretty roads?
Posted by: Roth LaDoad   2018-04-18 16:35  

#13  the 'white' asphalt surface treatment initiative began in mid 2017

this treatment is only slightly more expensive than a similar treatment with a darker emulsion

the lighter the surface, the slower the oxy- deterioration of the treatment

so this may work out

finally, some of the basic science and engineering was done in the W administration and initially endorsed by scientists in the Obama admin until the hard core greenies stopped it because it doesn't cause enough suffering
Posted by: lord garth   2018-04-18 15:44  

#12  
Posted by: Abu Uluque   2018-04-18 15:35  

#11  Our freeways are paved with concrete. In some of the nicer, older residential neighborhoods of San Diego the streets are paved with concrete. Maybe more expensive at first but some of those streets have been like that for many decades. Concrete is far more durable with a lot less potholes than asphalt. Looks a lot nicer too.
Posted by: Abu Uluque   2018-04-18 15:31  

#10  Here's your info from the mfr. Note "Dries to a light grey matte finish and does not cause glare."

Nothing about coefficient of friction, which may make for interesting braking.
Posted by: Vast Right Wing Conspiracy   2018-04-18 13:47  

#9  Grounds unstable ABU.

Along with the state and local govts, and a goodly number of the citizens.

preliminary testing shows has reduced the temperature of roadways by up to 10 degrees.

That is the temp of the road itself. Numbers I saw elsewhere said they expected to reduce the urban heat island effect by 1 degree.
Posted by: SteveS   2018-04-18 13:26  

#8  Grounds unstable ABU.
Posted by: Skidmark   2018-04-18 12:47  

#7   they are also pricey, with the estimated cost of $40,000 per mile,

Where's the graft in that?? Oh, right there.
Posted by: AlanC   2018-04-18 12:47  

#6  Concrete would be better.
Posted by: Abu Uluque   2018-04-18 12:30  

#5  Maybe someone calculated the energy 'savings'?

Yeah, probably the product salesman (a 'nephew' of one of the LA Street Department bigwigs, no doubt).
Posted by: Mullah Richard   2018-04-18 12:03  

#4  Who has the paint contract?
Posted by: Glenmore   2018-04-18 12:03  

#3  How long before it gets too dirty to matter and have to be re-applied?
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2018-04-18 11:56  

#2  Apparently they have never heard of snow blindness either...
Posted by: DarthVader   2018-04-18 11:52  

#1  Finally, a white solution to something!
Posted by: Skidmark   2018-04-18 11:45  

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