Effect of electromagnetic energy harvesting technology on safety and low power generation in sustainable transportation: a feasibility study

Sustainable operations and improved safety are some of the key management demands of the transportation infrastructure. Harvesting energy from roadways is one promising solution towards meeting both of these demands. Energy harvesting technology has the potential to supply sustainable electrical power for roadways, especially in remote areas. In this study, the feasibility of harvesting electrical power using electromagnetic technology was explored in the laboratory. A prototype electromagnetic speed-bump energy (ESE) harvester was developed to simultaneously function both as a speed control device and energy generator, respectively. The prototype ESE captures passing vehicles' induced strain energy and generate power. Experimental tests were performed by simulating traffic conditions to evaluate the power generating potential of the prototype. The maximum power achieved in experiments was 16.5 W, which suggested a promising potential to generate substantial power output. A feasibility study on implementing the prototype ESE in low-volume roadways was also analytically evaluated, with approximately 22 kWh of energy generated daily. The negative impacts of the ESE on the roadway are envisioned to be outweighed by the high potential for contributing to safety improvements in terms of vehicle speed control and reducing accidents, particularly in remote and/or high-risk areas such as school zones.