Hi-tech sleeping policemen that use the pressure of passing cars to create power

[dpeilow]

London News: Hi-tech sleeping policemen that use the pressure of passing cars to create power are to be tested by Ealing Council | london life | thelondonpaper

Hughes said: “With a steady flow of traffic, four of the ramps would be enough to power all the street lights, traffic lights and road signs for a mile-long stretch of street.

Guest_Chris says: I suggest that if Mr Hughes is an engineer, then he's not a very good one. Of course this scheme will result in the cars using more fuel - if the plates move, then that is taking energy from the car, slowing it down. In order to maintain speed the car has to use more fuel. In a bizarre way, this scheme is the opposite of using electric cars in the city to reduce pollution. Instead of getting their electricity from a power station a long way away, they are generating it, and hence pollution on the spot.

Discuss...

[stopcrazypp]

If the plates are used in places where you want to slow down traffic anyways (eg replacing speed bumps), then it's a good idea. But for other places, it might actually be a wasting more energy than just using electricity normally.

[TEG]

I saw this whole idea proposed and discussed somewhere else a few years ago. In a way it is a direct (localized) tax on those that use that particular road. I have to imagine that it would create some extra noise as the cars drive over the generator.

[doug]

Yes, what they said.
This is a much better idea: LED-encrusted speed bump flattens out when you're not flat-out - Engadget

[vfx]

Maybe only place them on downslopes.

[dpeilow]

And: Power-generating piezoelectric road will be tested next month in Israel - AutoblogGreen