Potential Impacts of Solar Arrays on Highway Environment, Safety and Operations.

摘要

The advent of solar energy utilization in highway infrastructure around the country has been increasing in recent years. Right of Ways (ROWs) have several advantages for energy development such as the existing electrical infrastructure aligned with the major highways, a secured boundary, and easy maintenance access. It has been identified by various Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that solar array deployment along the ROW is possible after adequate site evaluation and impact study. With higher solar insolation available, CDOT can generate electricity from solar arrays on its ROWs across much of the State of Colorado. Political climate, public cooperation with energy providers, commitment of utility companies and potential impacts are some of the major concerns in successful solar array deployment. The potential impact of photo voltaic (PV) arrays on driver safety, highway operation and maintenance, and the environment are the focus of this research study. Changes in driver’s expectations, glare, maintenance practices due to snow drifting along the roadside, and local ecosystems are some of the impacts that are evaluated in this report.