ABSTRACT
This paper deals with the electric energy production from roads, through an overview of the existing and experimental technologies that could guarantee, in a not so distant future, a substantial source of power. The study analyzes the performances of several possible technologies for energy generation from road infrastructures as follows: (i) piezoelectric device able to generate electricity from the surface movement of the road platform caused by automobile traffic; (ii) photovoltaic systems achieved through the installation of photovoltaic panels both on noise barriers placed by the roadside and on shelters of parking service stations; (iii) photovoltaic panel devices distributed on the road surface that allow to convert solar energy into electricity and sustain high loads and stresses generated by vehicular traffic. Finally, a practical application of these technologies on a A24 highway section located in central Italy has been evaluated and the results are compared in terms of energy production.
