To help save energy, why dont we all make a concentrated effort to paint our roadways light reflecting White?

Answer 1

In the sense you probably meant it, your idea doesn't work. White, highly reflective roadways will blind drivers when headlights strike them.

However, in the global warming sense, the more of the surface of the Earth that is white, the larger the fraction of sunlight will be reflected back off the Earth. The less sunlight is absorbed, the cooler the Earth becomes. So, your idea has some merit, though it would take a LOT of white paint.

Answer 2

In addition to the other answers already given here, you'd also have people saying that the amount of paint being used is more dangerous to the environment than energy consumption.

Answer 3

For one, lamps are cheaper to install and maintain. When a lamp burns out, somone goes out on a cherry picker and replaces it.

"Painting" all the roadways would be MUCH more expensive, and, as the "paint" wears away, it all has to go out and be repainted. And believe me, with city traffic constantly running rubber tires on it, it WILL need constant repainting.

Answer 4

Well, where would the light come from that the surfaces would reflect? Car headlights only illuminate a small area in front of the car so you really can't see what's around you.

Answer 5

well it wouldn't conserve anymore natural resources