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Video: Poland gets solar-powered, glow-in-the-dark cycle path

Can emit light for around 10 hours
by Alex Bowden
Sat, Oct 08, 2016 17:41
8

Poland has just unveiled a glow-in-the dark cycle path powered by solar energy. NextNature.net reports that the path near Lidzbark Warminski is illuminated using synthetic ‘luminophores’ that light up after being charged by sunlight.

The material in the bike path can emit light for around 10 hours. Director of the Board of Regional Roads in Olsztyn, Waldemar Królikowski, said that the project is meant to improve the safety of people cycling at night.

In 2014, a cycle path that generates energy from sunlight opened in the Netherlands. Known as SolaRoad, the experiment worked even better than expected with the initial 70m stretch generating enough electricity to power a small household for a year.

We’ve also reported on a 20-mile cycle path in South Korea which features a roof made of solar panels. Running down the middle of a six-lane motorway, cyclists gain access by travelling through underground passageways. The solar panels are used to power the lights that line the road and also charging points for electric cars.

Poland
solar power
bike lane
Alex Bowden

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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8 comments

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Al__S | 8 years ago
0 likes

There's a couple of solar footpaths in Cambridge and they're rubbish. Notice that the "night time" shot in the video is a still with what is clearly a long exposure time (thus the bright horizon)

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SpiritualOne | 8 years ago
0 likes

As the solar energy can light the path, can that solar energy also be used to heat the path making it frost/snow free in the winter? 

 

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SpiritualOne | 8 years ago
0 likes

As the solar energy can light the path, can that solar energy also be used to heat the path making it frost/snow free in the winter? 

 

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DaveE128 | 8 years ago
0 likes

If the path wasn't a ridiculous slalom shape, perhaps there'd be no need for it to glow in the dark?!

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fukawitribe replied to DaveE128 | 8 years ago
1 like

DaveE128 wrote:

If the path wasn't a ridiculous slalom shape, perhaps there'd be no need for it to glow in the dark?!

That is just a wee joke, isn't it ?

Avatar
DaveE128 replied to fukawitribe | 8 years ago
0 likes

fukawitribe wrote:

DaveE128 wrote:

If the path wasn't a ridiculous slalom shape, perhaps there'd be no need for it to glow in the dark?!

That is just a wee joke, isn't it ?

Partly! 1

I wondered why they had treated this particular short section of path, and noticed the bizarre shape that it is laid in around the tree, and figured that being in an unlit section that is otherwise straight, perhaps the motivation came from people riding off the path (and perhaps into the tree) unintentionally?

It's an interesting idea though, and I wonder if it improves the effectiveness of pedestrian/cycling segregation compared to a white line? I wonder if the glow in the dark effect lessens significantly over time with accumulation of dirt?

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Sven Van Anders | 8 years ago
1 like

for the non-polish speakers, the dude in the glasses said  they not only make luminous tarmac in their lab; they make scented stuff too, including one that gives off the aroma of coffee!

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Leviathan | 8 years ago
2 likes

I didn't see him because he wasn't on the glowing path.

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