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Department Of Transportation Funds Solar Roadways Project

Department Of Transportation Funds Solar Roadways Project

By Richard Read's avatar Richard ReadRichard Read September 1st, 2009

Mock-up of road design by Solar Roadways

Mock-up of road design by Solar Roadways

Enlarge Photo

The Department of Energy may be getting a lot of press these days for its big-dollar loans to EV automakers, but the Department of Transportation is doing its own small part to brighten the future, too. The DOT recently awarded Solar Roadways (warning: crappy website ahead) a $100,000 contract to prototype its proposed -- wait for it -- solar roadway. Upside: LEDs embedded in the pavement create dividing lines and easily changeable signage, and solar cells generate power for the grid. Also: all those hours you spent playing Night Driver might finally pay off. [Gas2.0]

Mock-up of road design by Solar RoadwaysEnlarge Photo The Department of Energy may be getting a lot of press these days for its big-dollar loans to EV automakers, but the Department of Transportation is doing its own small part to brighten the future, too. The DOT recently awarded Solar Roadways (warning: crappy website ahead) a $100,000 contract to prototype its proposed -- wait for it -- solar roadway. Upside: LEDs embedded in the pavement create dividing lines and easily changeable signage, and solar cells generate power for the grid. Also: all those hours you spent playing Night Driver might finally pay off. [Gas2.0]

Tags: Technology, Driving, Department of Transportation, Fun, Miscellaneous, Fun Stuff



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Responses (5 total)

  1. By  Mark Dixon #1, Posted: 9/1/2009

    I met Scott Brusaw at his home in Idaho-- he's the founder of Solar Roadways-- and interviewed him in the following video interview, complete with computer animation of the roadways.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3PeSm6_hTE
    He's a totally down-to-earth guy and we think he's on to something big...
    Enjoy!
    Mark

  2. fb_643488824 avatar by Richard Read #2, Posted: 9/1/2009

    Thanks for the info -- I wish you could post the video here, or at least a live link. Alas, our commenting system isn't so friendly as that yet. (But soon! Maybe!)

  3. fb_1510606196 avatar by Carl Thelin #3, Posted: 9/1/2009

    Looks great now. What happens after a few years of ice freeze-thaw cycles when the pavement blocks begin to shift and heave? Will the integrity of the electrical system survive that - probably not. This will be a bonus for those of us who live in the southern tier.

  4. By dave #4, Posted: 9/2/2009

    What a complete waste of our money. I'll give a BTBF of 3 months, with luck.

  5. By Chris #5, Posted: 9/3/2009

    Ok folks, weather or not you "believe" this project will work or not, you should inform yourself about the (petrifying) truth about peak oil.. Go ahead google it, I'll wait here. Ok now, you can't deny that our drug is almost out. We are on the edge of global disaster, the ONLY reason there are more than 6.5 Billion of us here is because of OIL!! When it runs out, sustainability must return to the system or the system will throw us into a disaster of unprecidented scope and magnitude!
    This will be global famine as oil based agriculture and transportation breaks down, and this is the minimum! As climate change eradicates species, expect less food production than we have gotten used to! Without oil people will DIE en'mass at the higher lattitudes in winter, and in droves as supply of power for air conditioning dwindles in the hot regions in summer. These things are all related to our arrogant over dependance on ALL fossil fuels. This project MAY have some glimmer of hope to keep America strong, and change our dependance to renewable resources. I am scared to death if it fails!!
    If anyone stalls or kills our great ideas at this very late juncture in our history, it is possible that we could be doomed to repeat the fate of the culture of Easter Island.. Look that one up while you have the browser set to google.
    If you are smart enough, but still think your right, and renewables are not the answer, go to TED.com and see the talks on the subjects by the true experts.
    If you would like to schedule me to speak on the behalf of renewable energy, please feel free to contact me at chrisrohrer at gmail dot com
    I would be happy to continue to share my oppinion.

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