Comment & Analysis
Imagine a future where, rather than having negative impacts on the environment, highways will in fact integrate transport in a functional and ecologically sustainable manner. This seems a big contradiction to the current climate, where in countries such as the US cars and trucks collectively account for nearly one-fifth of all emissions, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.
For this reason, many bodies have been dreaming up visions of sustainable roads. Innovia Technology, for example, is to work on a project in west Georgia in the US using the latest technology to create what it is calling an environmentally friendly highway.
The Mission Zero Corridor Project is the company behind the initiative, and appointed Innovia to collaborate with it in a bid to rethink the purpose and function of road infrastructure to generate social, environmental and economic value.
But is a green highway even a possibility? To address this question, Innovia will consider some of the ‘smart’ technologies proposed for the ‘green’ highway, such as algae biodiesel gas stations; smart solar-powered roads; moon-cycle adjusting lights; wildlife bridges; driverless cars; electric car charging lanes and cultural greenways.
As futuristic as these methods may sound, many are already in development. Inductive car charging, or wireless electric vehicle charging, could completely wipe out concerns about range anxiety and improve efficiency and performance levels for electric vehicles, and developments in this area are already hitting headlines.
Qualcomm Halo has been pioneering the development of the wireless technology on smart highways as a way to bring electric vehicles to the mass market.
Algae fuel has long been discussed as an alternative to petrol and diesel but until quite recently no companies have been making it in bulk and selling it to drivers. Now, however, filling stations are experiencing increased funding from several companies and government agencies in efforts to make algae fuel production commercially viable.
Andy Milton, project leader at Innovia Technology, explained that the green highway proposal is hugely important in reducing emissions, as well as increasing safety. Speaking about the timeframe for the project, Milton continued: “The project is a long-term goal and we have 2040 in mind but this is not set in stone. We are aiming for a Zero framework to eliminate the environmental impact of highways while maintaining productivity and still turning a profit – this is likely to be a multi-decade strategy.”
Alastair MacGregor, chief executive of Innovia Technology, said: “Worldwide, the highway infrastructure is continuously maintained, rebuilt and expanded at considerable economic and environmental cost. The Mission Zero Corridor Project is proposing an alternative future where highways have a positive impact on our communities. It’s very exciting to be involved in making this vision a reality.”
Innovia will join the green highway initiative later this summer, aiding the project in evaluating the technologies for viability and scaleability.