Qatar has tested blue coated road surfaces as a way to reduce heat absorption and improve outdoor comfort in a country that experiences extreme summer temperatures. The pilot project, launched in August 2019 by the Public Works Authority, Ashghal, examined whether a specialised reflective coating could keep roads and pedestrian areas cooler than conventional asphalt.
The trial covered up to 200 metres of vehicle lanes on Abdullah bin Jassim Street, near Souq Waqif, and another 200 metres of pedestrian and cycling paths in front of Katara Cultural Village.
The initiative aimed to assess whether the coating could reduce surface temperatures and potentially be introduced more widely across Qatar’s road network.
How the blue coating works
Conventional asphalt absorbs a large proportion of incoming sunlight, contributing to the heat retained by roads and surrounding urban areas. According to Ashghal, traditional asphalt can absorb between 80 and 95 per cent of sunlight, while the experimental coating was designed to reflect approximately 50 per cent.
The specialised material was applied over the existing pavement to reduce the amount of solar radiation absorbed by the surface. The coating consisted of four layers: a primary layer followed by three additional layers intended to limit heat absorption.
The lighter coloured surface was also expected to reflect more light than conventional dark asphalt. However, the actual reduction in road temperatures needed to be established through testing.
An 18 month monitoring programme
Ashghal announced an 18 month monitoring period to evaluate the technology. Road specialists and contractors installed sensors and other measuring equipment along the trial sections to compare temperatures on coated surfaces with those on conventional asphalt.
The project was carried out in cooperation with the Japanese company Oriental. The results were intended to help authorities determine whether the coating performed well enough to justify wider use.
The pilot was also designed to assess the material’s suitability for roads and pedestrian areas under Qatar’s climatic conditions.
Potential benefits for urban environments
Cool pavements could offer several potential benefits in hot urban environments. By reducing the amount of heat absorbed by road surfaces, reflective materials may help limit localised heat build-up particularly in areas with extensive paved infrastructure.
Ashghal said the technology could contribute to energy efficiency and potentially reduce emissions. The authority also cited research suggesting that cooler surfaces may help limit some heat related health risks and slow atmospheric chemical reactions associated with smog formation.
Another potential advantage concerns visibility and road safety. Lighter coloured pavement can reflect street lighting and vehicle headlights more effectively, potentially making vehicles and road markings easier to see. Ashghal also reported that a protective material was applied to road markings to reduce wear from vehicle contact and extend their lifespan.
However, the extent of these benefits depends on the coating’s actual performance, durability and conditions at each location.
Could cool pavements become more widespread?
Qatar’s experiment reflects a broader interest in urban cooling strategies as cities face rising temperatures and increasing heat exposure. Reflective surfaces are among the approaches being explored alongside shade, urban greenery and more energy-efficient buildings.
The potential of cool pavements depends on whether they deliver meaningful temperature reductions over time and remain effective under traffic, dust and harsh weather conditions. Their effects on surrounding air temperatures may also differ from their effects on the pavement itself.
The 2019 pilot was intended to provide evidence for decisions about future deployment. Its longer term significance lies in whether reflective road coatings can become a practical part of wider efforts to make urban spaces more comfortable and resilient to extreme heat.