Phoenix Introduces "Cool Routes" App to Protect Pedestrians from Extreme Heat

Phoenix – 06/25/2026: The city of Phoenix in Arizona has launched a new app called “Cool Routes” that helps pedestrians find shady paths and thereby reduce their heat exposure. This initiative aims to mitigate the effects of extreme summer heat in the region.

“Cool Routes” is an online tool developed by researchers at Arizona State University. It calculates the “mean radiant temperature” of an area, which takes into account both direct sunlight and reflected heat. Based on this data, the app suggests the shadiest routes to minimize heat stress while walking.

In tests on the Arizona State University campus in Tempe, “Cool Routes” was able to identify cooler alternative routes in over 70% of cases. These routes reduced the perceived heat stress by an average of about 2.5 degrees Celsius compared to the shortest path.

The app updates its calculations hourly with current weather data and also considers the height of buildings and tree canopies to determine the coolest paths. This allows users to adjust their walking routes according to the time of day and changing shading conditions.

Although “Cool Routes” is currently limited to the Arizona State University campus, the developers plan to expand the app to other cities. This could help reduce the impact of urban heat islands in various urban areas and provide pedestrians with cooler and safer routes.

This initiative is part of Phoenix’s broader efforts to combat the effects of climate change and improve the quality of life for its residents. By promoting shaded walkways and providing tools like “Cool Routes,” the city seeks to increase pedestrian-friendliness while reducing health risks from extreme heat.

The introduction of “Cool Routes” demonstrates how technological innovations can be utilized to address urban challenges such as extreme summer heat. Such initiatives could serve as a model for other cities facing similar climatic conditions and challenges.

For Phoenix residents, “Cool Routes” offers a practical way to make their daily journeys safer and more comfortable by choosing the coolest and shadiest routes. This is especially important in a city that regularly ranks among the hottest in the United States.

The continued development and improvement of such apps could contribute in the long term to making urban infrastructure more climate-resilient and providing pedestrians with a better quality of life.