Innovative highway technology is changing America’s roadways. In the very near future, technology will turn the country’s highways into safer, more efficient and even revenue-generating assets for state and local governments. “Smart roads” will soon deliver solar energy generation, snowmelt systems, photoluminescent markings and Intelligent Transportation Networks.
Photoluminescent markings offer big savings related to roadway lighting. Instead of constructing street lights that need constant repair, photoluminescent markings glow at night and reduce the need for street lights. The paint for the markings is made of photoluminescent powder and it charges throughout the day from sunlight. At night, the powder glows and illuminates the area. European countries, such as the Netherlands, have implemented photoluminescent markings on their highways and they are rewarded with 10 hours of light after the sun goes down at night. America is testing this new possibility.
Solar-powered roadways – another innovative trend – are worthy of note. Currently, one start-up firm in Idaho is creating solar-powered panels for smart roads and has been awarded several grants by the Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Other private-sector firms are in development stages as well. Solar panels are structurally engineered to withstand the stress of vehicular traffic and they are strong enough to support three times the weight of a standard 18-wheeler. They are more chip-resistant than standard asphalt and grip better than pavement. In addition to all this, the panels generate electricity that can be put onto a grid, used to power lights or connect to traffic signs.
The state of Idaho has a solar-powered parking lot. The parking lot’s solar panels provide energy for crosswalks and street lights. And, while the cost for solar powered roads may be too steep for small municipal governments, solar-powered parking lots are not that expensive, and one of the additional benefits is that a city can also expand its green energy capability.
Most states have a division within their department of transportation dedicated to intelligent transportation systems (ITS). The ITS divisions work with information-based technologies and most ITS systems use communicative applications to collect and store vehicular data. The data is then used to further guide safety protocols. The most innovative ITS project today is the Virginia Smart Road program maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation in Montgomery County. The smart road is a 2.2-mile stretch that acts as a testing ground for new pavement and road technology. This testing facility is managed by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and with more than 20,000 hours of conducted research, the Virginia Smart Road sits at the cutting edge of transportation technology.
Snowmelt systems prevent the accumulation of snow and ice on roads during cold winter months where snow and ice are problematic and very dangerous. Most snowmelt systems are heated by electricity. When the temperature falls below freezing, an activation device turns on a heating cable thus providing heat to melt the snow and ice. As the temperature rises, the activation device turns off the heating cable. Snowmelt systems also save money because there is no need to shovel snow or de-salt roadways. Additionally, the systems increase the life of the concrete and pavement by eliminating damage that results from salt, chemicals and the increased weight of heavy service vehicles. Similar technology is being used for sidewalk heating in Oak Park, Illinois.
Roadways are changing quickly and citizens and taxpayers will reap the rewards. As technology emerges to change the way the country’s transportation system operates, innovative companies are rushing to develop new technologies and implement them into their offerings to public entities responsible for roadways. The trends are definitely worthy of watching.
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