Summary Reader Respond Draft 2

 According to the article “Smart Road Technology: Digital Highways of The Future” (2020), the road is frequently overlooked in the development and evolution of modern transport. The article mentions that roads can be a platform for a host of innovations that will improve driving safety and efficiency. Internet of Things (IoT) devices are integrated and used in smart roads to enhance safety and efficiency of road users. There are a few Smart Road technologies that the article has pointed out which are Glow in the dark roads, Solar powered roadways and Electric priority lane for charging electric vehicles. There is a claim in the article that many authorities have recognized the importance of smart roads.

By implementing smart road technology, I am convinced it would improve driving safety and efficiency. It is, however, only practical to implement and install such technologies in areas where they are applicable.

Firstly, Glow in the dark roads aims to light the way by having markings made of a solar absorbing luminescent paint that charges under the sun and glows in the dark. This will eliminate the need of streetlights at certain areas and will be capable of making the road safer for users. This will be a cost-saving technology that can be easily implemented by replacing existing infrastructure. Griffiths (2014) mentioned in the article " Hopes of a 'smart highway' are dampened because glow-in-the-dark road markings fade in the rain ", that markings have 'faded out' and have been found to be highly sensitive to large amounts of moisture - which could post a problem in countries that have frequent rainy weather. 

Secondly, solar powered roadways aims to reduce electrical charging stations by embedding photovoltaic cells within hexagonal panels made of tempered glass, which are used to pave roads. Therefore, it can store solar power, light streetlights and power neighboring buildings. Conserve energy future (n.d), stated that some roads pass through natural forests, tunnels and roads that are close to skyscrapers. These structures or habitats cannot allow the proper passage of sunlight onto the road. As such installations can only be fixed in specific locations, especially locations that will garner abundant of sunlight. 

 Lastly, as more electric vehicle are introduced across the automotive sector, there will be a demand for electrical charging stations. Electric priority lane for charging electric vehicles aims to charge car batteries while traveling on the road. Condliffe (2017) stated that it requires tearing up sections of roads to lay, which are disruptive and expensive. The system requires a continuous lines of electromagnets for the length of the road. As a result, the infrastructure would be unlikely to extend beyond a few high-traffic routes through a city which could constitute an inconvenience. 

With the great innovations of smart road technology, it should only be implemented and fixed at areas and location where it is highly efficient and maximize it's capacity. Wrongful implementation would be costly, redundant and unnecessary. 

In my conclusion, I am looking forward with the implementation of smart road system as we moved towards developing modern transportation. Such technology can be beneficial in upscaling the safety drivers and efficiency of road users. The progress of smart road systems can only move to greater heights with the right usage and implementation. 

 

Reference: 

- Condliffe.J. (2017 May).The case of Building Electric Roads

https://www.technologyreview.com/2017/05/18/151622/the-case-for-building-roads-that-can-charge-electric-cars-on-the-go/

- Conserve Energy Future. (N.d). What are Solar Roads?

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/solar-roads-benefits.php

- Griffiths.S. (2014 April). A real wash out? Hopes of a 'smart highway' are dampened because glow-in-the-dark road markings fade in the rain

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2617126/A-real-wash-Hopes-smart-highway-dampened-glow-dark-road-markings-fade-rain.html

- Ratia.S. (2020 May). Smart Road Technology: Digital Highways of the Future.

https://vrioeurope.com/en/smart-road-technology-digital-highways-of-the-future/