The City of Irvine has implemented an innovative pavement coating pilot program that extends the life of City streets while helping to reduce heat from the ground up.
DuraShield Solar Reflective is a waterborne epoxy-modified acrylic grey pavement coating, similar to slurry seal. The coating is designed to reduce pavement surface temperature and may reduce ambient air temperatures. It also reduces UV and heat damage to pavement.
In August, the City’s Public Works & Sustainability Department applied DuraShield Solar Reflective on San Juan and San Leon. Although it has been used in several other cities, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Miami, Irvine is the first Orange County city to apply the solar reflective pavement.
Additional benefits include:
- Reduces water penetration into pavement substrate.
- Slows deterioration of pavement.
- Retains high friction in wet and dry conditions.
- Quickly cures, enabling traffic to get back on the street the same day and reduce tracking.
- Does not affect driver glare.
DuraShield is designed to last approximately seven years before it needs to be reapplied. City staff will monitor the pavement on San Juan and San Leon over the course of a year to analyze durability and surface and ambient air temperatures.
A recognized leader in sustainability, the cool pavement pilot program aligns with the City’s climate adaptation efforts aimed at transforming Irvine into a model climate-smart city for the future.