New solar road technology could both absorb solar energy for electricity and provide a changeable LED grid that could respond to traffic conditions.
From the press release:
"The Solar Road Panels will contain embedded LEDs which "paint" the road lines from beneath to provide safer nighttime driving, as well as to give up to the minute instructions (via the road) to drivers (i.e. "detour ahead"). The road will be able to sense wildlife on the road and can warn drivers to "slow down". There will also be embedded heating elements in the surface to prevent snow and ice buildup, providing for safer winter driving. This feature packed system will become an intelligent highway that will double as a secure, intelligent, decentralized, self-healing power grid which will enable a gradual weaning from fossil fuels."
Solar Roadways, who developed the concept, have been awarded a $100k research grant by the Department of Transportation. This page features a video interview with one of the inventors.
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