Using Freeways As Power Generators

First off a little clarification. In my experience the good folks of the Northeast aren’t too familiar with the term “freeway,” as what I (a Californian) would call a freeway is referred to out here as a highway — given that they aren’t exactly free out here. I only mention this because on numerous occasions I’ve used the term and gotten several blank looks.

Now then, while a smoggy, congested freeway doesn’t exactly seem to be the most eco-friendly place, it could, in fact, be a global warming safe alternative to other energy sources like coal (assuming you discount the already-in-place pollution from all the cars driving on it).

Although still in the research phase, several students have drafted prototypes of various wind energy collection devices (think windmill) that they would like to see freeways retrofitted with. The devices range from overhead turbines that would collect energy from cars speeding by below, to barrier panels that would utilize the wind from near proximity vehicles speeding by on either side.

Overhead Turbine Prototype:

Barrier Panel Prototype:

The idea is that the wind energy collected would thereby be transformed into something useful that could be put toward powering nearby communities, rail systems or even intelligent billboards.

I think it’s a great idea let’s just see if it actually gets put to use or if it gets wasted away in a laboratory somewhere. Additionally, apart from powering cities and trains, how about some CO2 processing machines alongside the freeways that clean up some of the poisonous gases being emitted from the automobiles. Just a thought…