Latest news with #highways
Sustainability Times
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Sustainability Times
'This Is Colonization by Climate': Rural Americans Furious as 52 Billion Solar Panels Start Swallowing Land Across the Country
IN A NUTSHELL 🌞 52 billion solar panels proposed to cover highways, generating over 60% of global electricity demand. proposed to cover highways, generating over 60% of global electricity demand. 🌍 Initiative could offset up to 28% of global carbon emissions and reduce road accidents by 11%. and reduce road accidents by 11%. 🚧 Challenges include climate variability, construction costs, and the carbon footprint of infrastructure. include climate variability, construction costs, and the carbon footprint of infrastructure. 🔋 Project exemplifies the shift towards green energy innovation and the utilization of existing infrastructure. The dream of a solar-powered future is inching closer to reality as researchers propose an ambitious plan to cover highways with solar panels. This groundbreaking initiative could potentially transform the American highway network, and by extension, the global energy landscape. By installing 52 billion solar panels, we could significantly reduce carbon emissions and meet a substantial portion of the world's electricity demand. This article explores the potential and challenges of this visionary project, as well as its implications for a sustainable future. Revolutionizing Global Energy with Solar Highways The proposal to install solar panels on highways is not just about generating electricity; it's about fundamentally changing how we perceive and use energy infrastructure. According to the publication 'Roofing Highways With Solar Panels Substantially Reduces Carbon Emissions and Traffic Losses' in Earth's Future, the global highway network spans approximately 2 million miles. By utilizing this existing infrastructure, researchers estimate that up to 17,578 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity could be generated annually. This amount of energy could cover more than 60% of the world's energy consumption as of 2023. Moreover, the initiative could offset up to 28% of global carbon emissions while decreasing road accident incidences by 11%. Lead author Ling Yao expressed astonishment at the potential impact, stating, 'I didn't realize that highways alone could support the deployment of such large photovoltaic installations.' This initiative not only underscores the importance of renewable energy but also highlights the need for innovative solutions to combat climate change. Revolutionary Solar Tech Unveiled: Ultra-Efficient Panels with Breakthrough Nanolayers Set to Transform Energy at Lightning Speed The Challenges and Opportunities of a Solar-Powered Highway While the conceptual framework is promising, the practical application of covering highways with solar panels presents several challenges. Pilot projects have already been successfully implemented in countries such as the United States, China, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. However, climate variability poses a significant challenge, as solar panel efficiency can fluctuate based on geographic and climatic conditions. This variability is crucial, as the effectiveness of the solar roofing system relies heavily on consistent sunlight exposure. Another critical factor is the displacement of fossil-fuel-based electricity, which depends on regional power supply structures, grid efficiency, and transmission losses. Additionally, the carbon footprint associated with the construction of such a vast infrastructure could negate the environmental benefits for over a year. Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of increased solar energy utilization make this initiative a promising avenue for future research and development. World's Largest Solar Telescope Unleashes 5.6-Ton Tech Beast to Capture Unprecedented Images of Massive Sunspot Activity Innovating for a Greener Future As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, innovative and radical solutions like the solar highway are becoming more essential. The project is still in an exploratory phase, and although it involves high logistical and economic costs, the potential payoff is substantial. By promoting a radical shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, such initiatives are helping to pave the way for the fifth industrial revolution characterized by robust technological innovation. The research in Earth's Future shows that if implemented successfully, this project could generate up to four times the energy currently produced in the United States annually. Green energy innovation is at its peak, and the shift towards a global solar panel network is not a matter of 'if' but rather 'when.' As countries invest more in green solutions, maximizing the environmental benefits becomes crucial for the sustainability of our planet. Swiss Startup Stuns the World by Powering Trains With the First-Ever PV Solar Plant Built Directly on Active Railway Tracks Maximizing Environmental Benefits Through Infrastructure To reduce reliance on fossil fuels, the transition to renewable energy sources like solar power is essential. The increasing efficiency and widespread implementation of renewable technologies are becoming standardized, making initiatives like the solar panel highway more feasible. By leveraging existing infrastructure, such as highways, to install solar panels, we can maximize space and environmental benefits. As we invest in greener solutions, it is vital to consider how to optimize these technologies for maximum impact. The solar highway project exemplifies how we can utilize existing land resources to harness sustainable energy. This approach not only addresses energy production but also encourages a more holistic view of infrastructure development. With the potential to revolutionize energy consumption and drastically reduce carbon emissions, the solar highway project presents a compelling vision for a sustainable future. As we continue to explore innovative solutions, how can we ensure that such ambitious projects are implemented efficiently and effectively to benefit future generations? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.4/5 (23)
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Truckers rejoice: Trump kills Obama plan to limit big-rig speed
The Trump administration is hitting the brakes on an Obama-era plan that would have created a de facto national speed limit as low as 60 mph for big rigs and buses traveling American highways. The proposal had been under discussion since 2016, and Trump officials on July 24 formally announced they're dropping the plan, which aimed to reduce the severity of crashes involving heavy vehicles. Obama-era regulators said limiting trucks and buses to no more than 65 mph would save between 63 and 214 lives annually, and save drivers more than $800 million in fuel and emissions costs. But federal regulators under Trump now say the proposal to install governors on all vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds would raise trucking costs and might actually make things worse by stalling traffic and putting more trucks on the road. Regulators said the proposal might have also slowed deliveries, hurt already-low driver pay and pushed more heavy truck traffic onto side streets instead of interstates. "Because drivers get paid by the mile, the more miles you can put in, well, the incentive is to not slow down," said Henry Albert, 62, an independent owner-operator based in Laredo, Texas. Albert said he understands why some safety advocates would support the speed restrictions, and said he personally limits his 2022 Freightliner Cascadia to 80 mph. He rarely drives that fast because higher speeds consume more diesel, he added. The exact speed limit being considered had not been decided but officials considered 60, 65 and 68 mph. Many states have interstate speed limits of 75, and some even allow 80 mph, although trucks are sometimes restricted to lower speeds. Federal regulators received more than 15,000 comments opposing the proposal, including objections from states that a national policy violated their right to set their own speed limits. Trump has ordered federal agencies to consider withdrawing or voiding what he considers to be onerous regulations, and the Department of Transportation cited his order in killing the governor plan. Regulators also noted the rule didn't consider the potential risk of increasing the speed differential between passenger vehicles and big rigs or the increased number of trucks that would have been needed to carry the same amount of cargo in a given period. They also said new technologies, like radar-assisted emergency alert and braking systems, have substantially improved safety since the proposal was first introduced. In a statement, the American Trucking Associations, which had supported a version of the regulation that would have restricted big-rig speeds to 65 mph, said it has long worked with regulators to find reasonable middle ground. "We believe USDOT can successfully balance deregulatory actions while enforcing sensible regulations that are on the books, in line with its safety mission," Dan Horvath, the ATA's chief operating officer said. There's a growing push by safety advocates to use technology like governors to limit driving speeds nationally; California Gov. Gavin Newsom last year vetoed a proposed state law that would have required new vehicles to alert drivers whenever they are speeding. Albert, who said he's seen few true accidents but many crashes, said he thinks better speed-limit enforcement would help improve safety for everyone on the road. "The speed limit sign isn't a starting point," he said, referencing the number of cars he sees zip past his rig at 100 mph. "It's the limit." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump kills Obama plan for big-rig speed limits Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The shocking state of Bexley's pothole-ridden roads and what can be done to fix them
As your MP, I'm out every week speaking to residents across Barnehurst, Bexleyheath, Crayford, Northumberland Heath, and Slade Green. I meet residents who voted for me and those that didn't, some who share my politics and those that don't. Either way, I will always represent issues brought to me by my constituents. However, there is often one uniting topic that residents all agree on, and that is potholes and the state of roads across the constituency. Road maintenance is ultimately the responsibility of the London Borough of Bexley, but it's an issue that keeps coming up again and again. Residents don't feel their roads are being well maintained. Back in 2021, when I was a Bexley Councillor, I warned the Conservative administration that their plan to significantly cut the road maintenance budget to stave off the looming pressures of bankruptcy, would come back to haunt them. When the decision to cut road maintenance funding was made, the council's own documents acknowledged the risks of more insurance claims, worsening road conditions, and a reduced ability to maintain highways to safe standards. Daniel Francis, MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford (Image: Nikki Powell) The document produced for leading councillors in the administration prior to the decision being agreed, admitted this could lead to more damage to vehicles, property, and personal injury. The data in the council's highways maintenance transparency report published on its website speaks for itself. According to these statistics: · The number of main roads (A roads) in the borough rated in the council's red category i.e. roads that require urgent attention, has increased by 680% in the last four years. · During this period, minor roads (B and C roads) in the red category have increased by a staggering 866%. That's why the Labour Government stepped in announcing a landmark investment earlier this year. Local councils have received an extra £500 million – enough to fill 7 million potholes a year. For Bexley this equates to an additional £895,000 for the council to fix the potholes across the borough. As your local MP I'm not responsible for the decisions the council makes, but I'm taking action. I've been out identifying potholes the council has missed - making sure this funding is used where it's needed most. I'm reporting every pothole I find on the FixMyStreet app, so you can track my reports in real-time. I've been shocked to see that this money isn't being spent. By making these reports, I'm ensuring that the council uses the money which the Government supplied to repair potholes across our borough. At the time of writing, I've reported 82 potholes across three council electoral wards in Crook Log, Crayford, and Northumberland Heath and there are more to go; as I monitor the position across Barnehurst, Bexleyheath, West Heath, and Slade Green & Northend wards. I've spoken to a number of constituents when I've been out reporting potholes and please do say hello if you see me out and about in the constituency with my tape measure on my pothole patrol.
Malay Mail
7 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Toll hike freeze 2025: Full list of 10 affected highways and RM500m compensation
KUALA LUMPUR, 23 July — Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi has identified the highways and expressways affected by the toll-rate freeze announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim this morning. He said 10 highways were due for toll rate increases under concession agreements signed by previous administrations. 'However, the Madani government deeply understands the cost of living pressures currently faced by the people. 'Therefore, this step to postpone toll rate increases is hoped to ease the burden on highway users,' the minister said in a statement after Anwar's announcement. The highways affected by the toll suspension are the Cheras-Kajang Highway (Grand Saga), KL-Kuala Selangor Highway (LATAR), New North Klang Straits Bypass (NNKSB), and Senai-Desaru Expressway (SDE). Also included are the East Coast Expressway Phase 2 (LPT2), South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE), Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge (JSAHMS), Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE), Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Expressway (MEX), and Butterworth Outer Ring Road (LLB). The suspension is expected to benefit around 941,000 users, especially daily commuters travelling between home and work. The minister said this move reflects the government's effort to mitigate cost pressures for the rakyat. To ensure continued operations and maintenance, the government will compensate the affected concession companies with over RM500 million through the Ministry of Finance.
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Shropshire team aims to repair potholes permanently
Getting to grips with the huge amount of potholes in the county is one of Shropshire Council's key council leader Heather Kidd made improving the state of Shropshire's roads one of her top priorities within the first 100 days in are 3,200 miles of roads in Shropshire, ranging from main A and B to smaller C and unclassified of the ways the authority aims to "get things moving" quicker is by using Multihog road planer machines for more complex jobs. The machines can plane off the road surface much quicker than having to saw-cut and break out the defective surface by hand."We've got two Multihog teams who will do 130 square metres of repair in a day," said Josh Sweeney, director of marketing at Multevo, which is contracted by Shropshire Council to carry out highways maintenance. "They are used on roads that are deteriorating and need that extra level of resource - we're responsible for permanently repairing any defect," he said."If we're going to make a visit to a location, we want to make sure that every defect is picked up and repaired permanently so we're not going back at a later date."Mr Sweeney said last week, the team had reduced the number of reported defects by 330."We look after everything from surveying the road and identifying the right treatment through to programming the works, raising permits, and making residents aware that work will be happening," he said."Some of the machines are multi-purpose so can be used in additional activities. "It's becoming more of a regular scenario where we've used the same machines to help with floods – pump water away in the night, then road repairs in the day." Forthcoming Multihog works Pentregear Issa to Croesan Bach - 16 to 17 JulyLlansaintfraid Road - 18 JulyB4397, Burlton to Loppington - 21 to 30 JulyNewport Road, Albrighton - 24 JulyAsh Road, Whitchurch - 24 to 30 JulyAll work will be carried out between 09:30 to 16:00 BST on news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
