A new Dutch invention uses lasers to scare birds away, intended to mitigate their interference with critical industries.
As discussed on Co.Exist by Ben Schiller, birds pose a problem for many industries—they get caught in aircraft engines and wind turbines, eat farmers’ crops, and frustrate greenskeepers. 23-year old Dutch entrepreneur Steinar Henskes developed diffused laser beams intended to scare these birds away from any given location.
Aerolaser, as the product is called, uses "a green, filtered light that reduces radiation. When birds see it, they think of it as a physical danger and immediately scatter..."
For an example of a sector that could use the technological help: "The Federal Aviation Association spends hundreds of millions of dollars a year to keep our feathered friends away from flightpaths... New York's JFK Airport, for instance, has about a dozen full-time bird control staff."
So far, Aerolaser has been sold in 46 different places, including the United States of America and many European countries.
FULL STORY: Keeping Birds Away From Runways, Oil Rigs, And Agriculture With Laser Beams
Study: How Urban Redlining Impacts Bird Populations
A legacy of historic housing discrimination and disinvestment is having lasting effects on more than just human lives in cities.
‘Electric Flying Car’ Approved for Test Flights
A $300,00 electric flying car has been cleared for test flights in the United States.
Saving Birds By Design
Reflective glass high-rises kill millions of birds each year, but bird-friendly design can save birds and reduce energy consumption.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
Minneapolis as a Model for Housing Affordability
Through a combination of policies, the city has managed to limit the severity of the nationwide housing crisis.
Indy Bikeshare System Turns 10, Expands to E-Bikes
Pacers Bikeshare riders logged over 700,000 rides since the system launched in 2014.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
