Climate change significantly impacts transportation infrastructure, particularly asphalt pavements. Similarly, the heat absorption of paved surfaces, especially conventional black pavements, significantly intensifies the urban microclimate. Paved surfaces, including asphalt pavements, account for over 30% of the covered surfaces and are vulnerable to rising temperatures, which cause not only pavement distress, such as rutting and cracking, but also urban heat islands (UHI). Sustainable pavement solutions, specifically colored pavements, have been investigated for their potential to mitigate these effects. This review presents an extensive overview of current pavement technologies, emphasizing conventional asphalt’s economic, environmental, and functional characteristics. A discussion of the benefits and challenges of colored pavements is also provided, including their ability to reduce UHI, enhance safety, and contribute to sustainable urban growth. This paper discusses advancements in pavement material science, the use of recycled materials, and the application of reflective coatings, providing insights into sustainable infrastructure development. Transitioning from conventional black pavements to sustainable colored alternatives is not merely a matter of material choice but a strategic transition toward resilient urban planning. Increasing demand for environmentally friendly infrastructure could prompt the construction industry to adopt colored pavements as a tool to promote environmental stewardship.

Due to heavy loading and severe temperatures in Pakistan, bituminous pavements deteriorate early in their service life. This study aims to modify the conventional bitumen with polymers to improve its resistance to heavy loading and extreme temperatures. Styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) polymer, at a dosage ranging from 3 to 9% by weight of bitumen, was added to the conventional bitumen. The SBS-modified bitumen was evaluated through series of physical test, including bending beam rheometer (BBR) test, resilient modulus testing, wheel tracking test, and moisture susceptibility assessment. The results showed that SBS enhances performance significantly, improving tensile strength ratio and resilient modulus increased by 30–35% with the inclusion of SBS. Additionally, rut depth decreased by 42% indicating improved rutting resistance. SBS modification reduced 40% stiffness at extremely low temperature of -22^◦C, helping prevent thermal cracking. Overall, the optimal SBS dosage for asphalt performance in Pakistan’s environmental condition is 5%. Statistical analysis, including ANOVA and Tukey’s test confirmed significant relationship between SBS contents and improvements in asphalt performance. Overall, this study highlights the effectiveness of SBS-modified asphalt in addressing key pavement issues such as rutting and cracking, particularly under challenging climatic conditions.

In recent years, the quest for advanced materials has intensified, driving the exploration of innovative coating systems to enhance material properties. Polymeric materials, renowned for their adaptability, have found extensive use across various industries. However, their inherent limitations in mechanical strength, wear resistance, and thermal stability have prompted researchers to seek enhancement avenues. Hybrid polymeric–metallic coatings have emerged as a promising solution, employing thermal spray techniques to metalize polymeric substrates. This amalgamation utilizes the versatility of thermal spraying methods, ranging from cold spraying, flame spraying, arc spraying, to plasma spraying, to achieve robust adhesion between metal and polymer layers. These techniques yield durable composite structures, fortifying surfaces against corrosion and wear while enabling dimensional restoration. Cold spraying, in particular, stands out among thermal spray methods due to its effectiveness in metalizing various materials. This comprehensive review delves into recent advancements in hybrid polymeric–metallic coatings via thermal spray processes. Emphasis is placed on analyzing critical factors influencing coating properties, including various thermal spray parameters. Furthermore, the paper scrutinizes the challenges and future potentials inherent in thermal spray techniques, with a focused exploration of cold spray technology. Understanding these methodologies is pivotal for optimizing the design and durability of structural materials made of polymers or composites.