Exploratory Advanced Research . . . Next Generation Transportation Solutions

Creating Productive Roadways 

Developing an Advanced Energy Production, Storage, and Distribution System

These signals will be connected to the 

existing utility distribution grids in close 

proximity to form a small power grid, known as 

a microgrid. A power-management system will 

be developed to manage production, storage, 

distribution, and consumption of energy based 

on demand within the grid using existing 

roadway communication and networking 

infrastructure. Each signal will be controlled by 

a local power management controller and it 

will operate as a smart local unit as it interacts 

with other signals. The microgrid will in turn 

operate as a smart entity within the wider 

utility distribution grid. 

Efficient Power Production

The RHPS system builds on current practice in 

several ways. It offers a lower footprint than 

any previous effort and will be specifically 

developed for urban and suburban load 

centers, where the electric power will be used 

locally and not require additional investments 

in power distribution systems. The system will 

provide more continuous power generation by 

using wind and solar power to supplement 

each other. It will also provide more 

economically efficient electric power 

production and implement several significant 

technological advancements in the areas of 

renewable energy production and distribution. 

Unlike previous efforts, the RHPS system is 

also able to utilize existing maintenance 

resources for traffic signals. 

Energy Benefits

This project is expected to have several 

positive impacts. It could significantly reduce 

the overall power needed to operate and 

maintain roadway systems and help create a 

more efficient network. It will offer a source of 

backup power for the transportation system, 

reducing the risk of blackouts. By utilizing 

existing infrastructure to produce and 

distribute power, and control the microgrids, 

the system reduces investment in new 

infrastructure. The smart grids are also 

expected to have significant impact on the 

development of next-generation smart electric 

power grids. Demonstration of the 

transformative technology proposed in this 

The Exploratory Advanced Research Program Fact Sheet

Intelligent Power

This project aims to develop an intelligent 

power system that can provide cost-effective, 

highly efficient, and reliable renewable electric 

power production, storage, and distribution. 

The Roadway Wind/Solar Hybrid Power 

Generation and Distribution System (RHPS) 

under development will lead to energy–plus 

roadways—where annual energy consumption 

is less than production—that could dramatically 

change the role of the public-right-of-way 

from an energy consumer to an energy 

producer. The RHPS represents a significant 

advance in the state of the art of renewable 

energy and production, storage, and 

distribution technology. 

An Innovative System

At the core of the system is an energy–plus 

traffic signal containing a wind and solar hybrid 

power system, as shown in Figure 1. Each signal 

will feature a wind-turbine generator and solar 

panels to generate power for onward 

distribution through the electric power grid. 

Due to the intermittent and uncontrollable 

nature of wind and solar resources, historical 

data will be studied at potential locations to 

determine the type and size of turbine and 

panels required for optimal performance. 

Renewable electric power production could 

reduce highway maintenance and operating 

costs and provide backup for critical systems 

during power outages. Using the public right-ofway and roadway infrastructure as a source for 

energy production, storage, and distribution is 

the goal of “A Roadway Wind/Solar Hybrid 

Power Generation and Distribution System: 

Towards Energy–Plus Roadways,” a Federal 

Highway Administration (FHWA) Exploratory 

Advanced Research (EAR) Program study 

awarded to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
research could eventually promote further 

opportunities for interdisciplinary research that 

connects smart grids and roadway.

Potential Impact

The system will be extensively tested and refined 

through modeling and simulation studies and a 

prototype will be constructed in University of 

Nebraska–Lincoln’s electric power and energy 

systems laboratory. Traffic simulation software will 

be used to assess the impact on efficiency, 

operational costs, and driver behavior. 

The results of this research project will be 

presented at international conferences and 

published in peer-reviewed journals in the fields 

of electric power and energy systems and 

transportation engineering. Feedback will be 

used to evaluate the technical impact of the 

proposed technology and the environmental, 

social, economic, and legal impact of the project 

will also be studied to gain insight into the risks 

and benefits of deployment. A Web site also 

offers a platform for feedback on the proposed 

technology. “The deployment of the RHPS 

microgrid could significantly reduce roadway 

agency operating costs,” said Eric Weaver at 

FHWA. “Additionally, the production of excess 

energy could even lead to new revenue for the 

highway system owners and operators.” 

Learn More

For more information on this EAR Program 

project, contact Eric Weaver, FHWA Office of 

Infrastructure Research and Development, at 202–

493–3153 (email: eric.weaver@dot.gov).

What Is the Exploratory 

Advanced Research Program?

FHWA’s Exploratory Advanced Research 

(EAR) Program focuses on long-term, 

high-risk research with a high payoff 

potential. The program addresses underlying 

gaps faced by applied highway research 

programs, anticipates emerging issues 

with national implications, and reflects 

broad transportation industry goals and 

objectives. 

To learn more about the EAR 

Program, visit the Exploratory Advanced 

Research Web site at www.fhwa.dot.

gov/advancedresearch. The site features 

information on research solicitations, 

updates on ongoing research, links to 

published materials, summaries of past EAR 

Program events, and details on upcoming 

events. For more information, contact 

David Kuehn at FHWA, 202-493-3414 

(david.kuehn@dot.gov), or contact Terry 

Halkyard at FHWA, 202-493-3467 (terry.

halkyard@dot.gov).

Creating Productive Roadways 

Developing an Advanced Energy Production, Storage, and Distribution System

Publication No. 

FHWA-12-063

HRTM-30/05-13(1M)E

Photo credit, page 1: 

©University of Nebraska–

Lincoln

Figure 1. The renewable infrastructure in place.

©University of Nebraska–Lincoln