Scientists from Perm Polytechnic University have proposed using the technology of building roads with heating layers as a way to combat snow and ice to reduce the risk of accidents in winter. Representatives of the university told this to socialbites.ca.
“The technology consists of laying an additional layer containing heaters and a network of sensors that monitor the current temperature of the road. During construction, it is enough to unroll it from a roll and lay it down, ”said Kirill Tyuryukhanov, Associate Professor of the Department of Automobile Roads and Bridges.
According to experts, heating is a really effective way to prevent icing in terms of ecology, economy and road life when compared to other methods.
“The system also depends on the weather service to be able to react quickly in case of precipitation. Power consumption may vary depending on this factor,” explained Tyuryukhanov.
According to Ekaterina Sokolova, a student of the PNRPU Faculty of Civil Engineering, this technology has only one drawback – it is a high cost. “At the same time, roads have a longer service life because periodic freezing and thawing in the cold season causes cracks and potholes to form. There will also be significant savings in street cleaning,” he said.
Japanese scientists before testing new technology generating electricity from snow. The experiment, launched in the city of Aomori, will run until the spring of 2023.