As the summer heat continues, a new project looking to reduce temperature on Adelaide’s roads has been launched.

In a joint announcement, the South Australian Government, the City of Adelaide and Climate KIC said they will conduct a pilot test how three reflective treatments can be applied to reduce heat absorption and cool the area surrounding roads throughout the city.

Known as the Cool Road Adelaide project, the pilot will see the three treatments applied to a 100-meter section of Bowen Street West in Adelaide’s Central Market District.\

The three products are CoolSeal by GuardTop and JetCool and JetBloc by Fulton Hogan.

These are also road preservation products which will increase the life span of the roads and increase the time span between having to dig up and relay.

Throughout the project, which will be completed by the end of summer, the road will be monitored to see how the different products reduce surface and ambient air temperature and improve the experiences of residents, road users, pedestrians and businesses.

Results will be shared with other councils across the state and will be used to inform strategies employed by both the City of Adelaide and other councils regarding cool road surface products.\

The project is part of efforts being undertaken throughout Adelaide to address urban heat challenges.

A heat mapping tool which assesses how different suburbs are impacted on hot days and night is informing planning and design in areas such as tree planting and the choice of materials used in public spaces such as playgrounds, parks and pavements.

Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said the project was an example of practical action to adapt to climate change and improve outcomes throughout cities.

He says cooling down roads is another way to help manage climate change impacts especially in areas where tree planting is difficult because of demands on public spaces.

Climate KIC chief executive officer Christopher Lee new innovations in heat reflective products are being used across the globe, with cool roads and cool roofs taking off in America, Europe and in other countries.

Lee says these innovations are an effective way to cool Adelaide’s urban environment given South Australia’s climate and high temperatures.