The end of black asphalt in a city in Greece - Why are they painting it white?

The Municipality of Drama is carrying out a targeted intervention on specific roads in the 19th of May area, restoring the pavement material with a new color of better reflection and thermal behavior.

The use of these reflective materials reduces the temperature of the asphalt, while at the same time improving the microclimate of the area and addressing more effectively the phenomenon in which cities have a noticeably higher temperature than the surrounding rural areas.

This material is a special cold bioclimatic paint for pavements, which is based on specialized acrylic or polyurethane resins.

It reflects the largest percentage of solar radiation, preventing the road surface from absorbing heat, quickly dissipating any heat that may have been trapped, resulting in it not heating the air around it.

At the same time, it contains special additives to keep the road surface safe for all road users and to withstand frequent vehicle traffic.

A similar material has also been placed on the road surface in the Kakia Skala tunnel, offering significant results in road safety issues, as the white asphalt created a more comfortable driving environment, improving visibility.

This specific intervention was also chosen as the brighter surface utilizes its reflective properties, reducing the need for artificial lighting inside the tunnel.