Dutch Design Smart Highway

 

Designer and innovator Daan Roosegaarde and Heijmans Infrastructure recently presented the first prototypes of the ‘Smart Highway’ during the Dutch Design Week.  According to the company, using the latest techniques, they are building the first ‘Smart Highways’ in Europe, roads that are more sustainable, safe and intuitive.

Selected ‘Best Future Concept’ by the Dutch Design Awards, these highways

will be realized mid 2013 in the Netherlands.

Instead of focusing on the car to innovate the driving experience, Daan Roosegaarde and Heijmans are innovating the highway. Innovative designs such as the Glow-in-the-Dark Road, Dynamic Paint, Interactive Light, Induction Priority Lane and Wind Light will be realized within the following five years. The goal is to make roads that are more sustainable and interactive by using interactive lights, smart energy and road signs that adapt to specific traffic situations.

First prototypes Glow-in-the-dark Road and Dynamic Paint
The pathways of the Glow-in-the-dark roads are treated with a special foto-luminizing powder making extra lighting unnecessary. Charged in day light, the Glow-in-the-dark road illuminates the contours of the road at night up to 10 hours. Dynamic Paint, paint that becomes visible in response to temperature fluctuations, enables the surface of roads to communicate relevant and adequate traffic information directly to drivers. For example ice-crystals become visible on the surface of the road when it’s cold and slippery. Although Dynamic Paint and Glow-in-the-dark Road will be realized next year, the first pieces of the ‘Smart Highway’ are open for the public during the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
More info at: [email protected]

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