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Future Roadways to be Paved With Lighted Heated Solar Panels?

  

Category:  Health, Science & Technology

Via:  jerry-verlinger  •  11 years ago  •  26 comments

Future Roadways to be Paved With Lighted Heated Solar Panels?

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A NewsTalkers Article

Downtown%20Sandpoint%202%20-%20small.jpg?width=500

Artist's rendition of Sandpoint, Idaho - Home of Solar Roadways

Imagine driving on a glass roadway with lighted markings and warning signs. A roadway that is generating and delivering electric power, high speed internet directly to your home and providing continuous, tower free cell phone service. A roadway that clears itself of snow and ice, and filters and processes storm water before delivering it to an irrigation system .

20140607_fnp501.jpg?width=275 Yes, just imagine, that is for sure the future. But you wont have to imagine for very long, because the future has arrived. Delivered by Scott and Julie Brusaw an engineering couple from Sandpoint Idaho. The Brusaws have developed a road surface system that does all of those things and is in the process of actually building prototypes for parking lots, driveways and side walks and has received grants from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Solar Roadways, the company name for Scott and Julies brainchild, has raised $2 million in donations through Indiegogo crowd-funding to take the solar panel product to its next stage of development.

Sandpoint%20Sidewalk%20-%20small.jpg?width=350 The ultimate plan is to replace the world's roadways, sidewalks and others surfaces over time with four inch-thick panels that could collect enough solar energy to power the planet.

For Overview Watch"

"Solar FREAKIN' Roadways!"
[
L INK ]

For More Detail Watch;
Scott Brushaw on designboom
[
LINK ]


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Jerry Verlinger
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Jerry Verlinger    11 years ago

I've watched all the videos and read a number of articles about this project, and I'm convinced this is going to be the future.

The next step will be to program the roads to guide vehicles to predetermined destinations with absolutely no help from a driver. Also, the roads will be programed to make it impossible for vehicles to collide.

 
 
 
Dowser
Sophomore Quiet
link   Dowser    11 years ago

Personally, I think it would be neat. Maybe it can generate enough heat to melt ice and snow, so we don't have to salt so much!

Grin.gif

 
 
 
Petey Coober
Freshman Silent
link   Petey Coober    11 years ago

2 words : road grease ...

 
 
 
Enoch
Masters Quiet
link   Enoch    11 years ago

Dear Friend Jerry V: Brave new world. Bravo!

I see good things in store for us in the future.

E.

 
 
 
Aeonpax
Freshman Silent
link   Aeonpax    11 years ago

Despite the obvious and inherent problems with this concept, it is an excellent start.

 
 
 
Jerry Verlinger
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Jerry Verlinger    11 years ago

All the videos, for me said "not responding" so could not watch.

I just checked all the links, they're working fine. Theproblemis in your 'puter.

Try Googling "Solar Roadways", you will find copious sources of info.

I got 4,270,000 hits in .33 seconds.

These panels are covered with 2 inch thick tempered glass that is stronger than the bulletproof and bombresistant glass now on the market. And yes, it will carry any load that is running on the highways we have today.

It has been tested inengineeringand tech labs across the country and the results were off the charts in all the test.

 
 
 
Jerry Verlinger
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Jerry Verlinger    11 years ago

Maybe it can generate enough heat to melt ice and snow, so we don't have to salt so much!

Watch the videos Marsha, the ability to melt ice and snow is one of the main advantages of the system. This system on only completelyeliminates the need for salt, it eliminates the need for any snow plowing altogether. Actually the panels generate enough heat to dry the road surface, so we'll almost always be driving on dry roads.

Not only that, the the roadways include a drain system to collect, filter and distribute clean storm water back into streams and waterways, or in some areas into sorely needed irrigation systems.

 
 
 
Jerry Verlinger
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Jerry Verlinger    11 years ago

words : road grease ...

What about it?

The road surface is texture to match the surfaces of today's highways, so road grease will not be any more or less of a problem than it is now.

 
 
 
Jerry Verlinger
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Jerry Verlinger    11 years ago

Despite the obvious and inherent problems with this concept, it is an excellent start.

What do you see as obvious and inherent problems that were not covered the videos?

I too approach this article ascompleteskeptic, but afterwatchingthe videos, I amthoroughly convinced thisis a thingof thefuture.

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
link   Hal A. Lujah    11 years ago
That texture is nothing like a traditional asphalt or concrete roadway. Fuel economy would decrease, tire wear would increase, and there's no way in hell that ice and snow will never be a problem. There will definitely be conditions where a plow would have to be used to clear it, and that plow would quickly destroy the surface. Vibration would be a constant problem, since these modules are wired together. Roads would constantly be under repair. Water would get trapped beneath it, then freeze and destroy the road base beneath it. It's way too expensive to be practical for public roadways. You may see some version of it in future parking lots, but this will never be the future of roadways.
 
 
 
Jerry Verlinger
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Jerry Verlinger    11 years ago

Will theseSolar panels hold up?

Yes, they have tested and retested. The Federal Highway Administration has signed on to the project giving Solar Roadway a $750,000 grant. The main focus now is the solar collection an distribution and the pressure sensitive lighting system.

The 2 thick to layer of 'glass" on the top surface is stronger than conventional bomb proof glass, tested for traction and can be easily replaced in any overly worn or malfunctioning section without having to repave theentireroad.

Try the videos again or Google 'Solar Roadways and go the the videos directly. You will befascinated.

 
 
 
Larry Hampton
Professor Quiet
link   Larry Hampton    11 years ago

One thing I wonder about is ice. Up here in northern Minnesota we get a lot of long stretches of severe cold (0 to 40 below F) with tons of wind and many days where the sun hardly shows.

 
 
 
Jerry Verlinger
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Jerry Verlinger    11 years ago

this will never be the future of roadways.

I assume you're privy to the research and all the lab and field test that have been to done regarding this project.

Otherwise, how would you be in a position to levy such criticism?

 
 
 
Jerry Verlinger
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Jerry Verlinger    11 years ago

The panels are heated Larry and are supposed the be able to melt the snow and ice as it occurs.

However, I live in upstate NY, 90 miles from the Canadian border, and we get similar weather. I'm sure dealing with the severe road conditions of the northern US is one of their most difficult challenges.

But, that does not mean his roadway system should not be installed in the many parts of the country with more favorable weather conditions, while continued research improves and perfect the system do deal with the harshest of conditions.

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
link   Hal A. Lujah    11 years ago
Actually, yes. I'm a transportation engineer, and this concept is getting almost no serious consideration. I was interested in seeing what it was all about, however, so I earned some Professional Development credit hours (for renewing my license) by completing an online course about this. Of all the online courses I have taken, this one stood out for being laughably assembled. The science was crap, the presentation was crap, the instructor and his undergraduate assistants looked like they couldn't design their way out of a paper bag, and there was no discussion whatsoever about the elephant in the room - COST. We can't even keep our existing infrastructure maintained because of inadequate funding, but somehow a road design that is bound to cost 100 times more than the industry standard is feasible? Never happen. Ever.
 
 
 
Larry Hampton
Professor Quiet
link   Larry Hampton    11 years ago

However, I live in upstate NY, 90 miles from the Canadian border, and we get similar weather.

Ah, so ya know what I mean then. The way that ice and snow blows over roads...holy,,,, the melting and re-freezing Would be an issue. I think you're right; start out in climates that are milder and as they learn, move them into harsher areas. I would LOVE to see it as there are few things that are as nervewracking as treacherous roads when you're just trying to get home.

 
 
 
Jerry Verlinger
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Jerry Verlinger    11 years ago

Actually, yes. I'm a transportation engineer, and this concept is getting almost no serious consideration.

That's veryinteresting. That would put you in a position to know something about this. Do you have any links or references to trade publications that have comments or articles regarding the project? I would really like to see what problems people from within the industry see with the idea.

You mentioned cost. According to the presentation I saw, the cost of the installation and would be more than offset by the solar energy the system would generate, plus the reduction in maintenance and replacement cost.

There has been a almost 3 million dollars raised for this project of which $750,00 is from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which ispittancecomparedto what will obviously be need to really get something like this started, but it's enough to create a prototype for further development.

I'm sure there will be plenty of naysayers, but that can be a good thing. If the concept is unable to stand up to criticism, it will never be able to stand up the wheels of American traffic.

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
link   Hal A. Lujah    11 years ago
The infeasibility of such a system is evidenced by the extreme lack of publications regarding this concept. I went back to the source I mentioned that offered the course to learn about it, and it had been removed from the course options (presumably because it was so awful of a concept and presentation.) Notice that the main source for this information online uses the word 'freakin' in the title of the article. That's your sign that it is not a professionally recognized engineering application. There isn't a giant cache of information available on this subject, because transportation engineers recognize immediately that it's just not feasible - for numerous reasons. Sidewalks and driveways - maybe ... possibly even in private parking lots, but never in a million years will this be a workable concept for public roads.
 
 
 
Miss_Construed
Freshman Silent
link   Miss_Construed    11 years ago

I like the concept and I havent had time to read or watch much about it yet... but I wonder about efficiency loss due to occlusion. So dirt and grime; even rocks and sand, would cover the glass and occlude the solar receptors... would we have to wash the streets and highways?

 
 
 
Jerry Verlinger
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Jerry Verlinger    11 years ago

I wonder about efficiency loss due to occlusion.

(?!) I don't understand what you mean byefficiencyloss. I can understand if your referring the possibilities of the 4' thick, partially hollow panel creating more noise than a solid paved road, but I'm sure how that relates to efficiency loss.

 
 
 
Jerry Verlinger
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Jerry Verlinger    11 years ago

Cost is the issue period, not to mention the maintenance that would be required for upkeep.

The initial cost is for sure more expensive than a conventional paved road, but themaintenanceperceived to be less,because, usually, they will only have to replace a fewdamagedormalfunctioningpanels, which does not requirea crew with dump trucks, graders, front end loaders, backhoes or whatever. It just takes a couple of technicians to replace the section of the grid that needs attention.

The other thing is they are solar panels, and they're going to beconnectedto the grid andactually sell power to the grid system.

Watch this video , it is a more detailedexplanationof the system.

 
 
 
Perrie Halpern R.A.
Professor Expert
link   Perrie Halpern R.A.    11 years ago

Here is what Jersey is doing:

 
 
 
Petey Coober
Freshman Silent
link   Petey Coober    11 years ago

2 words ... "road grease " .

 
 
 
Jerry Verlinger
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Jerry Verlinger    11 years ago

Notice that the main source for this information online uses the word 'freakin' in the title of the article.

The You Tubeexplanationof this newinnovation is designed to get theaverage person, who does not normally peruse trade magazines and industry related websites looking for obscure trade news.

So the best and cheapest way for the SR folks to get the message out to the masses is through social media, Putting together a video that the average You Tube viewer could relate to, such as,"FREAKIN' roadways" is not professional, but that video was not created for the professionals.

There are other videos, made while the inventor was making presentations to professionals. Here's one of them, I'm sure you will find many of your concerns, while indeed valid,have been or will be addressed as the concept is developed.

I caught this project in it's very early development stage, through the alerts I have set forarticlesand information concerning the environment. So I wouldn't but too much stock in the lack of informationavailable. Actually, yesterday, when I wassearching for articles criticising the concept, I did find a few, but most of them, like you, are asking questions that have been or are being addressed.

 
 
 
Jerry Verlinger
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Jerry Verlinger    11 years ago

There a few states putting solar panels along their highways, but they're unsightly and not nearly as innovative as the Solar Roadway concept.

I've been digging around for links to different concepts, but everything keeps coming back to Scott Bursaw and Solar Roadways.

But did find a FAQ section I think will be helpful.

 
 
 
Jerry Verlinger
Freshman Silent
link   seeder  Jerry Verlinger    11 years ago

Road grime/grease would more than likely have a reflective effect absolutely cutting down on the efficiencyfor the panels to absorb solar light.

The system is designed to function at efficiency levels as low as 15% of capacity.

Also I can't just wrap my arms around using glass for road surface. I can't see where that will be durable enough to handle the weight of trucks, and the constant traffic of car tires.

It's not the kind of glass we all think of when we hear "Glass". The 'glass they're going to ultimately use is still underdevelopment, but for now to keep cost down, they're usingextremelystrong glassalready on the market.

This is from Science Daily regarding a new kind of highly resistant glass;

" Engineers are working to develop a blast-resistant glass that is lighter, thinner, and colorless, yet tough enough to withstand the force of an explosion, earthquake or hurricane winds. Today's blast-resistant windows are made of pure polymer layers. This new design is a plastic composite with an interlayer of polymer reinforced with glass fibers. It's only a quarter-inch thick. " [ More ]

The surface layer on the Solar Roadway panels are twice that thick.

Watch this video for more informative and detailed insight of what is planned.

 
 

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