Journal of Transportation Engineering and Traffic Management

Volume 5 Issue 2
e-ISSN: 2584-1823
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10930761

Smart Road Technologies for Future Use

Parvesh Shan, Jikhil Joseph*

B Tech Student, Govt. Engineering College, Thrissur, Kerala, India
Assistant Professor, Govt. Engineering College, Thrissur, Kerala, India

*Corresponding Author
E-Mail ID: [email protected]

ABSTRACT
Managing traffic safety and highway congestion within the available resources has become a
serious concern for authorities today. Over the last few years use of the term ‘smart’ has
become a widespread practice at all levels. A shrewd street is a street outfitted with
mechanical devices that interface with its environmental factors (individuals and nature) to
improve transportation wellbeing and productivity. The use of Internet of Things (IOT)
devices on a smart road will improve safety, efficiency, and meet government objectives. This
can be implemented by using advanced technologies like Light Sensors, Dynamic paint,
Motion Sensors, IOT Devices, Interactive Lighting System, The solar roadways, Glow in the
night, wind powered lights, Electric priority lane etc. Throughout this we will examine the
current state and development of transportation technologies, along with some of the
emerging innovations in smart roads and more advanced transportation technologies.

Keywords: Smart road, IoT, transportation

INTRODUCTION The quality of road infrastructure directly

At present traffic has become one of the influences workforce flexibility and
major problems faced by the people in mobility, which in turn affects
India. It causes wastage of fuel, time and employment rates. Furthermore, the level
electricity. of development in road infrastructure
significantly influences various sectors
The road which are now in practice in all including tourism, foreign investment
parts of the world are the ones which not influx, and regional growth.[1]
only provide transport but also support us
by providing power by using wind energy SMART ROAD TECHNOLOGIES OF
and solar energy, such roads are called FUTURE USE
SMART ROADS. Similarly, lots of street Safety
lights are being used on the roads to Taking all these instances into
enlighten the streets which cause consideration, smart roads in safety
electricity waste, and also regular road aspects have been designed in such a way
accidents are being happening due to that the number of accidents is reduced.
external faults, in prior to this people are Algorithms can be included by using the
facing issues at the bus stop the bus following commands.
transport cannot figure out the people who
are waiting for the bus due to busy traffic. Weather and traffic detection
Smart highways are increasingly prevalent To detect the danger of aqua- planning
in advanced nations, employing a range of measurements of precipitation intensity
technologies designed for interactivity and and water film thickness as well as the
substantial self-sufficiency. status of the road surface are needed.
Currently, near the motorway, various

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 Journal of Transportation Engineering and Traffic Management
Volume 5 Issue 2
e-ISSN: 2584-1823
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10930761

weather sensors are deployed to detect sensor systems in use for capturing these
atmospheric data. There are two distinct measurements at present.[2]

Fig. 1: Weather and Traffic Detecting Roads.

(Source: Nyakuri J.P. et. al)

Interactive light conservation of millions of watts of

One of the most important features of the electricity. These lights are so helpful that
road, bearing in mind the energy they are 10 times brighter than the lights
challenges from today, are the interactive which we are using now. This will help
streetlights that switch on when cars pass the driver see clearly and the number of
by and fade out when they pass by. The accidents can be reduced.[3]
utilization of such lights can result in the

Fig. 2: Roads with Interactive Light (Source: Amidala A. et al.)

Electric priority lane charging ports are not that accessible and
These days, due to the unavailability of it is also time consuming for a person
renewable sources such as crude oil, traveling from one place to another. In
petrol, diesel and LPG, electric cars i.e. order to overcome this difficulty, electric
smart cars have come into existence and priority lanes have come into existence.
they require electricity for their usage. The

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 Journal of Transportation Engineering and Traffic Management
Volume 5 Issue 2
e-ISSN: 2584-1823
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10930761

Fig. 3: Electric Priority Lane (Source:https://wdo.org/enlightenedhighys)

Ease of Driving markings boast superior visibility

Ease of driving plays a major role in compared to those made with standard
transport and that’s when the road is said paint, yet they don't rely on electricity for
to be safer and safety measures come into illumination.
practice. Drivers should be comfortable
while driving and the road should be laid The concept itself has been developed
in such a way that the angle of banking through several iterations and has been
should be precise such that no accidents tested for durability and user experience.
take place.[4] Shining Lines apply on edges of street like
Standard Width of Road marking Line is
Glowing roadway lines 100 mm. This paint mark in the format of
The road is painted with photo-luminous triple Lining i.e., 10mm line - 35 mm
paint. During the day this paint absorbs space likewise up to 100mm.
the sunlight, at night the paint re-emits this
stored light to indicate the driving lanes. Applying Thickness of paint is 1.6mm to
This photo illuminator paint can light up 1.8mm Budget: Near about 1.2 to 1.8 kg
the road for up to 10 hours at a time. By paint required for each square meter. Its
using such paints, road width and lanes administration life is around 10 - 20 years.
can be known which will make the Brilliant Street with Shining Lines is the
transport easier. The first highway with best technique for expanded perceivability
glow roadway lines was started in and security and Glowing paint is the best
Netherlands. Glowing Lines are aimed at radiant paint.[5]
increasing visibility and safety. The road

Fig. 4: Glowing Roadway Line Roads.

(Source: https://canada.constructconnect.com)

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 Journal of Transportation Engineering and Traffic Management
Volume 5 Issue 2
e-ISSN: 2584-1823
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10930761

Traffic adaptive road signs cautious. According to the FHWA, more

Due to the world’s population and the than 70 percent of U.S. roads are situated
number of cars being used everyday in regions prone to snowy conditions, with
across the globe, traffic jams are common an average annual snowfall of five inches.
and tedious. The road signs are dynamic. Snow and ice accumulation on roads not
These markings can be adjusted based on only impede visibility and reduce friction
the prevailing traffic conditions. but also compromise a vehicle's
maneuverability, particularly in certain
When there is heavy traffic, the dotted areas. Despite slower travel speeds aimed
lines can be changed to continuous lines to at ensuring safety, vehicles remain at
prevent cars from switching lanes. The heightened risk of accidents when
ATCS algorithm continuously adapts encountering icy or snowy road
traffic signal timings according to the conditions. Approximately 24 percent of
traffic demand at intersections and weather-related crashes annually occur on
anticipated arrivals from neighboring snowy, slushy, or icy roads, resulting in
intersections. This approach significantly over 116,800 injuries and around 900
enhances travel time by systematically fatalities. To address these challenges, a
guiding vehicles through green lights, Smart Highway initiative is underway in
thereby reducing congestion and the Netherlands, spearheaded by
promoting smoother traffic flow.[6] Sendijarevic. This project focuses on
developing dynamic roadway paint that
Dynamic paint can convey crucial information about road
In countries like Canada, temperature drop conditions invisible to the naked eye. The
is frequently observed and it makes the dynamic paint responds to specific
roads wet due to the snow formation and it roadway "contexts," particularly useful in
will be difficult for the driver to continue detecting the presence of black ice, which
driving. To alert drivers of the temperature poses a significant hazard as it is difficult
dropping below zero, the Smart Highway to identify. When activated, the paint can
is painted with temperature responsive display icons such as snowflakes, warning
road paint. When the temperature goes drivers of invisible ice on the road. While
below zero, the road shows images of this technology cannot entirely eliminate
snowflakes. You now know when to step weather-related accidents, it holds promise
off the gas pedal and start being more for improving safety for drivers.[7]

Fig. 6: Roads with Dynamic Paint (Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology).

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 Journal of Transportation Engineering and Traffic Management
Volume 5 Issue 2
e-ISSN: 2584-1823
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10930761

Power Generation
Millions of watts of power is generated through the cars everyday across the globe which is
not being used. Smart roads have come up in order to use this energy and convert it into
power and supply it to the industries and for domestic purposes.

Solar roads to accommodate lightweight vehicles and

This is a great initiative where the solar bicycles. The glass layer must possess
panels are placed on the roads and the excellent durability, fire resistance, and
sunlight is absorbed and this energy can be sufficient strength to shield the layers
used for street lights, can be sent to the beneath it.
industries and can also be used for
domestic purposes. Smart Solar roads Electronic layer
integrate multiple solutions into one The electronic layer, situated beneath the
innovative system. They have the potential glass layer, comprises solar photovoltaic
to enhance energy production from solar cells and chipboard components. The
panels, collect and distribute rainwater, chipboard serves to detect loads and
serve as a digital platform for Smart cities, regulate and monitor the fixed heating
and support the transition to electric and element embedded within the surface
shared transportation. This technology layer. This electronic layer converts light
incorporates a transparent driving surface energy into electricity. It is constructed
with embedded solar cells, electronics, and from aluminum material.
sensors, effectively functioning as a
programmable solar array. The idea is not Base plate layer
only to collect solar energy and rain water At the foundation of a solar roadway lies
but to also make smart roads. Roads that the bottom-most layer, responsible for
illuminate themselves at night, heat collecting and transmitting electrical
themselves in the winter and are easily energy to the power station. This base
programmable to direct driver.[8] plate layer, constructed from steel, not
only supports the layers above it but also
Glass layer withstands external weather conditions.[9]
This upper portion of the road is designed

Fig. 7: Roads with Solar Panel (Source: Mamidala1 A. et al)

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 Journal of Transportation Engineering and Traffic Management
Volume 5 Issue 2
e-ISSN: 2584-1823
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10930761

Wind powered lights created by moving vehicles can be

The energy generated by wind-powered captured effectively by these roadside
lights can be utilized in various ways. turbines.
With over 2.5 billion cars worldwide
creating wind turbulence, there's a A central roadway wind turbine is
significant opportunity to harness this particularly effective at capturing wind
energy. Instead of relying solely on large- drafts from both directions of the road. It
scale wind turbines, which typically features two airflow conduits, each
require substantial wind speeds, smaller catering to one side of the road. Each
and more efficient traffic wind turbines conduit consists of an inlet opening facing
can be deployed along highways. These opposite to the traffic flow and an outlet
turbines are designed to rotate using the opening facing towards the traffic flow on
air movement generated by passing its respective side. This design allows for
vehicles. Unlike natural wind, which efficient capture and utilization of wind
usually has low speeds, wind drafts energy generated by passing vehicles.[10]

Fig. 8: Wind Powered Lights.

(Source: https://inhabitat.com)

KEY FUNCTIONS AND frameworks, magnetometer indicators,

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES infrared frameworks, light location and
FOR THE SMART ROAD running (LIDAR), and video picture
The Road That Listens to Itself identifiers. Additionally, wide-area data
Side of the road information concerning systems monitor traffic conditions along
vehicular traffic incorporates both tiny and highways within defined regions through
perceptible traffic boundaries, including methods such as photogrammetric
vehicle type and weight, which are acquisition and processing, video and
distinguished by sensors and gadgets audio analysis, and satellite observations
situated along the side of the road. These from space.
checking instruments incorporate different
innovations, for example, inductive The Road That Adapts Itself to the
attractive circles, pneumatic street tubes, Circumstances
piezoelectric circle exhibits, microwave As already discussed, CAVs and V2X
radars, ultrasonic and acoustic sensor connectivity open up the possibility of

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 Journal of Transportation Engineering and Traffic Management
Volume 5 Issue 2
e-ISSN: 2584-1823
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10930761

implementing The Road that Feeds Itselfs

ITS solutions for highway traffic Smart highways represent a significant
management more effectively, such as: opportunity for sustainable energy
Variable Speed Limits, Ramp Metering, expansion, as they facilitate power
Dynamic Lane Management and Hard generation. Consequently, an ideal smart
Shoulder Running, Platooning and other road should operate as a self-sufficient
Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control system, capable of maintaining all its
Systems strategies. These are a kind of functions and technologies through self-
solution that can be seen as self- adapting generated energy.
smart road applications. Variable Speed
Limits (VSL) and Speed Harmonization

Fig. 9: The Three Focus Areas of Smart Cities (Source: Pompignan A., et al)

ASE STUDY: SWEDEN ELECTRIC batteries and expands the scope of electric
ROAD vehicles. By jolting principal streets with
Objectives of Study Elway's answer, electric vehicles will
 To study the working mechanism- work more productively than flow
principle involved in the operations of vehicles, both petroleum and electric, as
smart roads. they will neither need to stop for charging
 To assess the infrastructure needs for nor stop to refuel. Electrical streets
transforming a standard road into a likewise bring down the carbon dioxide
smart highway. discharges. Assessment of infrastructure
 To evaluate the existing traffic for the conversion of selected roads to a
conditions along an arterial road and smart road and Demonstration of
propose suitable smart road implementation of smart technology to a
technologies. highway system.
 To evaluate the benefits of smart roads
quantitatively qualitatively. Methodology
Following steps are followed for the
Scope of Work fulfillment of the objectives of the study.
Elways Stomach muscle in Solna, Sweden ● Collection of information, literature
fosters a framework that permits electric and case studies on smart roads.
street vehicles to charge while driving, as ● Selection of a primary road stretch,
opposed to pausing and charge at a fixed after having discussions with the ROP
area. This kills the current impediment of and ministry of Transport officials.

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 Journal of Transportation Engineering and Traffic Management
Volume 5 Issue 2
e-ISSN: 2584-1823
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10930761

● A comprehensive study is being the primary and secondary coils within

conducted to explore the feasibility of specified tolerance values is crucial to
implementing an Electronic Road ensure efficient energy transfer. In
System (ERS) on a large scale, powerful remote charging situations,
utilizing road traffic data, such as energy is moved from a restricted length
average daily traffic (ADT), from side of the road essential loop framework
Norway and Sweden. to the optional curl of a gradually moving
● Data on vehicle and electric road or unpredictable vehicle (with travelers).
system infrastructure costs
● Finally Assessment of requirement of In dynamic wireless charging, energy is
IT infrastructure the given selected transferred from a special driving lane
segment of road to convert into a smart equipped with a high-power primary coil
road system to the secondary coil of a vehicle
moving at medium to high velocity.Two
Working Principle of Smart Road major obstacles suffered by the plugin
AC main from the grid is converted into hybrid electric vehicles are cost and range.
high frequency AC through AC/DC and EVs need to be charged quite frequently or
DC/AC converters to enable power need to install a larger battery pack which
transfer from transmission coil to the leads to additional issues such cost and
receiving coil. Series and parallel weight. Additionally successive charging
combinations based compensation of an electric vehicle isn't prudent.
topology are used in both receiving and Accordingly by carrying out unique
transmitting sides to improve the overall remote electric vehicle charging
system efficiency .Receiving coils are framework (D-WEVCS) the issues related
fixed under the vehicle to convert the with reach and cost of electric vehicles can
oscillating magnetic field to high be diminished. The secondary coil is
frequency AC. The high frequency. placed below the vehicles similar to the
static-WEVCS. Whenever the electric
Alternating current (AC) is transformed vehicles passes over the transmitting coil,
into a consistent direct current (DC) power the vehicle receives a magnetic field
supply, which is then utilized to charge the through the receiving coil and converts it
onboard batteries To avoid any kind of into DC it is used to charge the battery
health and safety issues and stable bank by using the power converter and
operation the power control, BMS.
communications, and battery management
system (BMS) are used. Once the vehicle When compared with the current electric
is identified and located by the roadside vehicles, using frequent charging facilities
controller, the energy transfer from the of electric vehicles reduces the overall
grid to the vehicle is synchronized by the battery requirement to about 20%.
inverter. The alternating current (AC) Required transmitting coil pads and power
flowing in the roadside primary coil, supply components must be installed at
operating at resonance frequency, induces designated locations along predetermined
AC in the vehicle-side secondary coil. routes When compared with the
This AC power can be either converted to segmented scheme, the centralized scheme
direct current (DC) onboard and directed has lower efficiency, higher losses, higher
to the lithium-ion battery or used directly installation, and maintenance costs.
to power the electric motor. However, the initial installation of this
technology's infrastructure will entail
Maintaining the geometric alignment of significant expenses.. In future with the

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 Journal of Transportation Engineering and Traffic Management
Volume 5 Issue 2
e-ISSN: 2584-1823
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10930761

help of self-driving vehicles, it would be Disadvantages

able to produce perfect alignment between Capital intensive
the transmitter and receiver coils, thus it The substantial costs associated with
could greatly increase the overall implementing smart road technologies on
efficiency of the power transfer. a large scale can often lead governments
DynamicWEVCS can be implemented in to hesitate in their adoption. A practical
many electric vehicle transportation approach to address this challenge is to
applications like light duty vehicles, bus, initiate smaller-scale implementations that
and rail and for fast transportation. deliver immediate benefits to the cities
deploying them.
ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES OF SMART Technological infrastructure and public
ROAD TECHNOLOGY acceptance
Advantages For smart roads to fully realize their
Safety for riders and pedestrians potential in transforming transportation,
Smart roads have Al-powdered traffic- widespread adoption of autonomous self-
monitoring solutions that detect vehicles, driving cars is essential. However, there is
pedestrians, and cyclists and enable safe currently some public skepticism
riding practices. Smart devices embedded regarding entrusting artificial intelligence
in smart roads have the capability to with control of vehicles. Additionally,
promptly alert first responders in the event integrating autonomous vehicles into
of a crash or criminal activity mixed traffic environments presents
significant challenges
Advanced communication • Seasonal efficiency.
Smart roads equipped with sensors have • High maintenance cost.
the ability to continuously monitor real- • Not suitable for developing and
time weather conditions, providing underdeveloped countries.
valuable information to approaching
vehicles on how to navigate the road CONCLUSIONS
optimally. In extreme weather conditions,  Savvy streets can be viewed as a
such as icy roads, these systems can component that ensures productive
reroute vehicles to prevent hazards like collaboration between foundations,
skidding. clients, and vehicles, working on every
one of the connected exhibitions while
Efficient transportation sharing information data. The correct
All innovation apparatuses utilized in operation of these infrastructures is
transportation are there to make moving strongly related to automation &
starting with one spot then onto the next centralization, affecting the involved
proficient. One example that smart roads players on a micro-level (drivers) and
use is extolling enhanced parking, where macro-level (fleet).
cars don’t need to cause traffic congestion  Shrewd streets are essential in the
just to pay for road related services. improvement of a clever biological
• Enhanced parking and e-tolling. system
• Identifying problematic areas.  Road traffic and congestion is a huge
• Improving pavement conditions. problem in most of the developing
• Reducing pollution. countries like India, China, and
Bangladesh etc. Many cities suffer
from inadequate traffic networks
characterized by fragmented traffic

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 Journal of Transportation Engineering and Traffic Management
Volume 5 Issue 2
e-ISSN: 2584-1823
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10930761

systems. 5. Kumar, M., Pandey, L., Singh, L.

 We believe that this representation is (2017). The Advance Technology of
just a first step in the development of Smart Road Construction using
low-cost strategies for reducing Sensior. International Journal of
congestion in the developing regions. Creative Research Thoughts, 5(4).
 The future work is to generate 6. Mamidala, A., Akanksh, P.V.,
electricity by evolving smart speed Prapurna, N. (2018). Smart road: A
breakers on roads. We can implement Sustainable Technology for Present
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 The smart roads are effective for S. (2017). Smart Road Technology for
traffic, but it is still not able to reduce Traffic Management and ITS
the traffic and congestion due to the Infrastructure Assessment: A Case
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