You Won't Belive What This Road Can Do!

By Teresa Thomerson in Science and Technology On 28th August 2016
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#1 By the end of 2016, America will have it's first solar panelled roads.

With the onset of "self" driving cars and the jump in technology it seems a shame to keep driving on the same potholed asphalt. Missouri has decided to do away with that and give Route 66 a much-needed makeover. They're going to be starting to replace the road by the end of this year.

#2 Unfortunately, we're not the first ones to try this out.

Missouri is not the only one wanting to ride the solar train. SolaRoad has been in operation in the Netherlands since November 2014 and has been generating more power than expected. The French government also plans to pave 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) of its roads with solar panels in the next five years, which will supply power to millions of people.

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#4 This is just the first step.

The Solar Roadways program is one of MoDOT's several pilot programs to promote transportation technology. Other ideas include smart pavement, smart traffic control, and truck platooning, which connects commercial trucks via wireless technology and thus allow trucks to follow at a close distance for better fuel economy and enhanced safety.

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#4 The solar panels are an amazing start, though.

Not only will the solar panels be generating electricity, they will also change other things as well. The panels will banish the need for signs and paint as well as being able to communicate changes in traffic patterns as they change.

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#5 Bye-bye potholes!

Not only that, but road maintenance will get easier as a broken panel just requires replacing the lone panel. No more filling in with concrete, waiting, leveling, drying and then repainting. I can't wait for these to be everywhere!