Comments on: Roadways that power themselves

By: Jessica

Jessica — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:55:15 +0000

If this were used to replace speed bumps, it would serve a very useful purpose. Would be nice to get something out of speed bumps besides the bump!

By: bob

bob — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 20:29:47 +0000

Not good enough. Nice try though…

By: BekkytheScot

BekkytheScot — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 16:39:09 +0000

This is awesome! Maybe it has some issues, but it might be the start of something great.

By: CB

CB — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:52:45 +0000

The highway barriers that generate power from the wind of passing cars is a better idea.

Since no links are allowed here, just google ‘highway barrier wind energy’

By: justin case

justin case — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:23:51 +0000

Stew is right – this would only be a good idea in terms of energy use if used in place of situations where you’d want the cars to slow down (e.g., replace speed bumps with these).

By: Stew

Stew — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:18:01 +0000

There is no free lunch. I don’t think this can bypass the priciple of “Conservation of Energy”. If this uses kinetic energy then it must slow the car down. If the driver wants to slow down (like for a red light) then this is good and will save a little wear on the brakes. Otherwise the driver will have to press the gas harder to maintain speed burning some extra fuel. So this could be an effective way of transfering costs from the road authority to drivers.

I also wonder if a device this complicated will cost less to install and maintain than the dollar savings in electricity it generates.

-Stew