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network of national roads and absence of motorways determine treatment of that
region as peripherally located, i.e. a region with limited territorial access. The
technical status of the roads is also unsatisfactory. Based on the conducted analyses
of photovoltaics use along the roads administered by the General Directorate of
National Roads and Motorways in Olsztyn up to date it can be concluded that the
potential for applying solar energy is unlimited. Photovoltaic cells have been
applied in 95 locations and to a limited extent only, i.e. for lighting the warning and
information signs. In the analysed region, so far, photovoltaics has not been used
for lighting the variable content signs.
Application of photovoltaic panels in Poland represents a new solution but, as it
can be seen, an increasingly popular one. The possibilities of installation allow
stating that photovoltaics is the most appropriate renewable energy source for use in
road infrastructure. It works excellently in lighting road signs (information and
warning). Given the plans for the ITS development, it should also
find application
in development of the global/mobile transport system supported by the EU. Thanks
to the solar energy, the Intelligent Transport System could be implemented wide
scale and outside urbanised areas. The system based on power from photovoltaics
will allow presenting the current situation on the road in hard to access locations
where traditional power grid is absent. General Directorate of National Roads and
Motorways conducts monitoring of roads, it checks the weather conditions and
provides information on road works. However, the range of services provided and
information collected is of local nature while the intelligent transport system should
provide at least regional and ultimately global coverage. Wider scale use of
photovoltaics would contribute to ITS development. The Directive on
…
also draws
attention to application of new solutions based on renewable energy.
For the future, development of motorisation powered by electricity is projected. It
is important that the power should originate from renewable sources. Photovoltaics
may play an immense role also in this case
it may be used for construction of fast
loading stations in, e.g. traveller service points. Based on the solar energy cameras
could be installed for traf
—
c and safety control on roads. The need exists for creating a
consistent and ef
ciently functioning transport system integrated with the European
and global system. According to the authors, the European system of information on
the current situation on the road using GIS and GSM should be implemented as fast
as possible. Photovoltaics as environment friendly renewable energy source easy for
installation and working under all conditions should
find wider use in road infra-
structure, among others in the Intelligent Transport System development.
References
1. Ko
ź
lak A (2008) Intelligent transport systems as instrument of improvement in transport
'
s
efficiency, Logistyka
(2).
Accessed 10 July 2013
2. Transport Development Strategy to 2020 (2013) Ministry of transport, construction and
maritime economy, Warsaw
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