Summary Reader Response Final Draft

 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. As mentioned in the article, roads can serve as a platform for a host of innovations aimed at improving safety and efficiency. Internet of Things (IoT) devices are integrated and used in smart roads to enhance the 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. Ratia (2020) stated that, “developing smart city infrastructure at scale can be costly and complex. Leaders can break down smart road projects into phases, starting with low-investment, narrow-scale initiatives that can provide initial value, setting the stage for high-investment and large-scale efforts.”

The implementation of smart road technology would improve driving safety and efficiency significantly. It is, however, only practical to implement glow-in-the-dark roads, solar-powered roadways, and electric priority lanes for charging electric vehicles in areas where they are applicable. In order to gather a considerable amount of attention for more future smart road technologies, the government and authorities need to carefully implement such technology on roads that will fully utilize its capability.

One technology that is vital to implement in areas where they are applicable such as glow-in-the-dark road, that 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 for streetlights in 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. 

Another vital technology that is vital to implement in areas where they are applicable such as, solar-powered roadways, in order to reduce electrical charging stations, hexagonal panels made of tempered glass are embedded with photovoltaic cells. These panels are used to pave roads. Therefore, it can store solar power, light streetlights, and power neighbouring buildings. Conserve energy future (n.d), stated that some roads pass through natural forests, tunnels, and roads that are close to skyscrapers. A structure or habitat such as this cannot permit sunlight to reach the road properly. The installation of these devices can only be carried out in specific locations, especially those that receive ample sunlight.

The last technology that is vital to implement in areas where they are applicable such as, 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 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 at areas and location where it is highly efficient and maximize its capacity. Wrongful implementation would be costly and unnecessary. When smart road technology is underused in public, it would only lead to bad perception. Moreover, it will slow down the development of smart road technology.

As we move towards the development of modern transportation, the implementation of a smart road system will contribute to further progress in efficiency and productivity. 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, the proper road infrastructure would enable the population to reap the benefits of new transport technology.

 

 

References

 

Condliffe, J. (2017, May 18). 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 30).  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/