Published: 16 February, 2009, 10:16
Edited: 15 January, 2010, 18:59
They are the bane of Britain’s motorists, but after an environmentally- friendlier makeover, speed bumps look set to be the latest asset in the rush for renewables.
Since they were first placed on British roads in 1981, “sleeping policemen” have been widely resented for damaging cars, wasting fuel and slowing motorists down. Now, these irritating hindrances look set to take on a new and albeit more constructive role, as part of the government’s attempt to “green up” the transport sector and create an environmentally-friendlier Great Britain.
The state-of-the-art speed bumps, or “sleeping policemen” as they have become better known, will capture the kinetic energy of vehicles traveling over them and power road signs, traffic lights and street lights. The pilot scheme is initially to start in London but is planned to be inaugurated nationally.
Conventional speed bumps each cost approximately 2,000 pounds and with an estimated 30,000 in place in London alone they inevitably intensify the infuriation of already wound up drivers in the capital. An ‘electro-kinetic road bump’ costs between £20,000 and £50,000, but is capable of producing between £5,840 pounds and £21,024 worth of energy a year.
The innovative system works by a series of panels installed in a ramp in the road that trigger a cog with each passing car, which then turns a motor and produces energy. The energy is then used to power road related equipment and any surplus power is fed into the national grid.
Peter Hughes, the designer of the system, believes the speed bumps are advantageous over more integrated and costly forms of renewable energy, as they generate power free of charge and that 10 of the speed bumps could generate the same amount of electricity as one wind turbine. According to Hughes,
“With a steady flow of traffic, four of the ramps used as speed bumps would be enough to power all the street lights, traffic lights and road signs for a mile-long stretch of street. The ramp is silent, comfortable and safe for vehicles. It is not only green energy; it is free energy, once you have paid for the capital cost of the equipment. The full potential of this is absolutely enormous.”
Perhaps the most exciting component of this new source of green energy is the positive feedback it has received from many disgruntled drivers. 43-year-old Mary Jacobs, who regularly drives an Alfa Romeo Spider in London, is one motorist who is particularly indignant of “sleeping policemen”. Ms Jacobs commented,
“Because my car is fairly low bearing, speed bumps have literally cost me thousands in damages, although if I knew they were helping the environment I may be inclined to be more patient towards them. Having said that I do hope they make the new sleeping policemen slightly lower.”
Councils in London are also believed to be excited by the prospect and Hughes has been collaborating with over 200 councils who are interested in implementing the system on their local roads either this year or next.
Like the nightclub recently opened in London that converts the kinetic energy of dancers on the dance floor, electro-kinetic road bumps also harness valuable energy that has previously just been wasted. Britain’s sleeping policemen may have finally woken up and prove to be invaluable in the rush to save the planet.
Gabrielle Pickard for RT