The Jersey Barrier Redesigned
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 02. 7.07
Mark Oberholzer, a runner-up in the Metropolis Next Generation Design Competition, has proposed a new Jersey barrier design. After researching alternatives to energy, Oberholzer proposed integrating ¬turbines into the barriers between highway lanes to take advantage of the wind generated by passing cars to create energy. He believes that Jersey barriers are perfectly positioned to utilize this wind and, by replacing sections of solid concrete with turbines, he thinks they could not only power highway lights but also harvest enough energy to power a light-rail line. Although the concept is still in the research stage, Oberholzer keeps learning more as he continues to flesh out the idea. For example, his original proposal suggested a single row of vertical-axis rotary turbines but he’s recently discovered that double-stacked Darius turbines will capture the wind from both directions more efficiently. He told Metropolis, “The peaks of traffic flow more or less coincide with those of energy use” and suggested that rush-hour chaos on the highways could actually help power the commute for public-transport users. Brilliant! Via ::Metropolis
Interesting idea if it wasn't for one thing... Concrete barriers are made from concrete, and not tiny metal fan blades, for a reason. :p
Now that's pretty genius. I would think cost and how well they stand up when people try to use them as barriers are the two big things to work out.
Two things they will have to overcome...
-Cost to produce and replace when Jojo runs his new SUV or Mac Truck through it.
-Durrability on impact - the idea of a barrier is to keep Jojo from coming through head on and wipping me off the planet.
Nip those two and I like it.
It is a cool idea, but yeah, the reason they are solid concrete is to prevent cars from hitting something on the other side. A wind turbine, as cool as it would be, would not prevent someone from crashing into the base of the board of trade.
Too bad when cars are in "parking lot" traffic ie not moving, or moving only a few miles it won't work as well.
Did he forget that rush hour is usually at a stand still? And with cars becoming more aerodynamic they leave less air turbulence as they pass. Cover them in solar film instead or something.
it is a good idea to co-generate energy using residual auto energy.
LMFAO at Jojo--Bwahaha!
I think a better idea would be to add wind turbines on top of the jersey barriers, so they can be used on existing barriers, thus redcing a massive wast/production problem; and so that they don;t lose the 'Stop JoJo's Mac Truck™" property.
Putting turbines between the lanes will decrease the laminar airflow generated in each direction by the moving vehicles. This is going to increase the drag on those vehicles and reduce their mileage. Basically, you are just parasitically stealing energy from the cars to power whatever. (Thanks Pete for that explanation)
Plus, Jersey Barriers are made of heavy concrete for a reason - to prevent cars from plowing though them.
Putting turbines between the lanes will decrease the laminar airflow generated in each direction by the moving vehicles. This is going to increase the drag on those vehicles and reduce their mileage. Basically, you are just parasitically stealing energy from the cars to power whatever. (Thanks Pete for that explanation)
Plus, Jersey Barriers are made of heavy concrete for a reason - to prevent cars from plowing though them.
How about putting redesigned wind turbines under
bridges over highways that could maybe generate
power.
Just a prototype... Geez! So many ways you could do this and still keep it concrete, or NOT use "Metal"...
By the way... Uh... Anyone put 2 + 2 together and consider the turbine idea on cars?????????????
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