Table of Contents
Authors | Jaime Ramos, Elvira Esparza
Roads and infrastructures are related to the mobility revolution. They form an essential part of the breeding ground for the technological advances we are seeing in the transport sector, with milestones such as self-driving cars, the drastic reduction of emissions and ending road traffic accidents.
This situation has led to the concept of smart roads. They are the pillars of smart mobility which is already offering benefits on a global level. Areas that have introduced smart transport systems are already seeing the benefits such as cuts in commuting times by an average of 15%-20%, which in turn has led to a 10% reduction in on-road emissions, and a drop in traffic accidents.
What are smart roads?
The definition of Smart roads is multifaceted and integrates the application of various information and communication technologies associated with mobility and related to connectivity, big data analysis, road safety and sustainability.
What are the technologies behind smart roads?
The current trend in smart roads is to transform this infrastructure into a connected digital platform that interacts in real time with vehicles, cities, and operators. This evolution is essential to support the electrification of transport, the gradual automation of driving, and the need for infrastructure that is more resilient to climate change.
Among the most disruptive smart road technologies are:
Advanced sensors and distributed IoT networks
The Internet of Things forms the foundation of smart roads, but its capabilities extend far beyond conventional traffic sensors. Distributed networks of LiDAR, radar, thermal cameras, and acoustic sensors can detect incidents within seconds, identify objects on the roadway, and monitor highly localized weather conditions. These sensors are connected through 5G networks and edge computing.
Digital twins
Digital twins are an essential tool for road planning and management. They are virtual representations of road networks that are continuously updated with real-time data from IoT sensors, cameras, radar systems, connected vehicles, and traffic management platforms. Digital twins can simulate accidents before they occur, predict traffic congestion, optimize maintenance, and test scenarios for autonomous vehicles.
Vehicle to Everything (V2X)
V2X refers to all communications between vehicles and their surroundings: : V2I (Vehicle to Infrastructure), V2V (Vehicle to Vehicle), V2P (Vehicle to People) y V2N (Vehicle to Network). Today, the combination of V2X with 5G networks, AI, and edge computing enables alerts about hazards that are not yet visible to drivers, real-time speed limit adjustments, coordination between autonomous vehicles and road infrastructure, and improved pedestrian safety through V2P communication.
Energy generating roads
These digital roads incorporate photovoltaic cells embedded in tempered glass panels that capture solar energy to power a range of infrastructure components. The panels contain microprocessors that manage the charging of electric vehicles traveling in dedicated lanes. These lanes have already been tested on roads in the United States and Europe as a way to extend the driving range of electric vehicles, including public transportation and commercial fleets.
Smart pavements
Smart roads are built with intelligent pavements that incorporate sensors to monitor deformation, moisture, and temperature. These sensors can detect cracks or the buildup of ice and water before they become a hazard for drivers. This self-diagnostic capability is essential for predictive maintenance, improving road safety and reducing the number of traffic accidents.
AI for predictive traffic management
Artificial intelligence enables smart roads to predict traffic congestion well in advance, automatically detect incidents, and manage lane use efficiently without human intervention. A range of platforms and applications already use AI to analyze data from these roads. The most advanced systems also incorporate deep learning and machine learning.
Smart lighting
Smart lighting systems harness the wind generated by passing vehicles to illuminate the roadway, converting the kinetic energy of moving air into electricity that powers the lighting system. In addition, smart road lighting can automatically adjust its brightness according to weather conditions, the time of day, and traffic volume.
The next step in the evolution of smart lighting is the use of photoluminescent powder powered by solar energy, allowing the roadway to glow in the dark and improve nighttime visibility without relying on electrical systems or batteries. The material absorbs sunlight during the day and emits light after dark, creating self-illuminating roads.
Autonomous cars cannot exist without smart roads
In order to achieve full automation, one of the requirements is undoubtedly having an IoT infrastructure that enables vehicle to infrastructure direct communications. Therefore, Smart Roads form an inextricable part of self-driving cars.
Advantages and some disadvantages of smart roads
Smart roads bring with them a whole host of advantages for sustainability and transport efficiency. Apart from those related to the aforementioned technologies, they will also improve road safety.
Together with autonomous vehicles, it is hoped that they will help to achieve the target of zero road traffic fatalities. This is the idea behind the ADAS systems, which are already a reality, or the development of smart road surfaces.
Smart roads also support the deployment of connected vehicles and autonomous driving. Their technology complements onboard vehicle sensors, and this collaboration between infrastructure and vehicles improves both safety and traffic efficiency, particularly in urban environments.
The data generated by smart roads also plays a key role in urban planning. It can be used to analyze mobility patterns, identify high accident areas, optimize the allocation of urban space, and evaluate the impact of sustainable mobility policies. Smart roads are intelligent infrastructure designed to improve the sustainability and efficiency of transportation services. One of the main drawbacks is the high cost associated with many of these technologies. Even so, the global smart roads market is projected to reach $6.9 billion (€6.083 billion) by 2034, with the United States accounting for 34% of total market revenue.
Beyond the financial investment, smart roads also present potential challenges related to cybersecurity, the management of large volumes of data, and interoperability between different systems. Despite these challenges, the benefits of smart roads for mobility outweigh their disadvantages, and their implementation is expected to continue growing in the years ahead.
Images | iStock/Igor Borisenko, iStock/Iaremenko, iStock/grinvalds
