Emerging charging technologies in road construction and infrastructure

This research assignment discusses the evolution of smart road technologies and the role they play in the future transportation infrastructure. At a time when the world is in an electric transformation, the way roads are constructed needs to keep up with the development. This study provides a comprehensive technology forecast on emerging smart road systems. Central to this rapport is the study of different variants of Electrical Road Systems (ERS), including overhead conductive charging, bottom-attached conductive charging, and inductive charging technologies. The technology is explained and projects using the technologies are presented. The conductive projects treated are Siemens' eHighway which uses overhead conductive charging, eRoadArlanda and Elonroad with a bottom-attached conductive charging solution and Heliox Oppcharge, which is a pantograph that connects to bus roofs. The most dominant technology today is a conductive solution called Combined Charging System, CCS, which also is presented in the theory. Furthermore the paper presents five inductive R&Ds, with two projects adopting inductive charging in two different ways. For instance does the Detroit’s Electric Road System use inductive charging with a dynamic application, and the Taxi Fleet project uses the same technology but with a static configuration, both with the inductive charging system embedded in the road. The case studies practice the theories behind the ERS technologies in practical application which highlights the challenges and opportunities with implementing the systems. To obtain the most promising electric road solution for the next decade technological forecasting methods are applied. This research paper uses critical parameters like economic feasibility, energy efficiency, and Technology Readiness Level (TRL). In addition, technological road mapping is carried out and an expert in the field is interviewed. These methods analyze the different ERS theories and projects to gain an extensiv