Dr. Jonathan Scheffe Investigated the Use of Solar Lighting for Pedestrian Crosswalks

The results of the following FDOT research project is now available online:

Integrated Solar Lighting for Pedestrian Crosswalk Visibility

Final Report [1.3MB]

PI: Jonathan Scheffe, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

PM: Ronald Chin

Co-PM: Trey Tillander III

This report was prepared for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to aid in their assessment of the viability of solar-driven lighting of pedestrian crosswalks or other traffic-bearing areas to enhance safety. The goal of the solarized crosswalk is to provide power for lighting and/or illumination using integrated lighting to enhance pavement markings and visibility; it should also provide service during power failures and in remote areas without nearby electrical utilities. Other potential traffic-bearing areas include parking lots, shared-use/multi-use trails, motor vehicle traffic ways, etc. The FDOT is primarily interested in mature technologies that have the potential to meet these demands. This project was created to aid the FDOT with their assessment of the viability of solar-driven lighting of pedestrian crosswalks or other traffic-bearing areas to enhance safety.

Dr. Jonathan Scheffe, who was the principal investigator of this project said, “This project investigated the feasibility of using solar panels integrated into the roadway surface for producing renewable energy that is independent of the electrical grid. The immediate application is for enhancing pedestrian safety at crosswalks, but longer term this technology has the potential transform roadway surfaces into a distributed, renewable energy power plants. In the near future we aim to design, construct and test the technology in a prototype demonstration facility.”

For more information about active and completed FDOT research projects, please visit the Research Center at http://www.fdot.gov/research.