INFRASTRUCTURES * USA - 'Superstreet' concept shows promise in real-world test

The central concept to the superstreet design is a thoroughfare, a stream of constantly moving traffic that follows a main arterial road

Raleigh,N.Carolina,USA -Gizmag, by Grant Banks -January 12, 2011: -- No left turn. That is the simple concept behind the Superstreet traffic design which promises significantly faster travel times, plus a drastic reduction in auto-collisions and injuries...  Researchers from the North Carolina State University have been the first to test the concept in the real world and the results are promising... The researchers assessed travel time at superstreet intersections as the amount of time it takes a vehicle to pass through an intersection from the moment it reaches the intersection – whether traveling left, right or straight ahead. The travel-time data were collected from three superstreets located in eastern and central North Carolina, all of which have traffic signals. The superstreet collision data were collected from 13 superstreets located across North Carolina, none of which have traffic signals...  (Photo: "Superstreet" traffic designs result in faster travel times and significantly fewer accidents, according to the new study. Credit: Dr. Joe Hummer, North Carolina State University)

INFRASTRUCTURES * USA - County to be first to install solar highway

Santa Clara Coounty,CAL,USA -Morgan Hill Times, by Michael Moore -Nov 18, 2010: -- A "solar highway" project on its way to South Santa Clara County will add a significant new source of clean energy to the grid, add revenue and reduce costs for public agencies and create jobs, according to the developers... San Jose-based Republic Cloverleaf Solar is working with the California Department of Transportation to install a 15-megawatt solar power system consisting of 64,000 photovoltaic panels, and occupying about 65 acres of land at seven intersections along U.S. 101, from Masten Avenue in San Martin to Branham Lane in San Jose... The pilot solar highway project will be the first of its kind in California, and is intended to demonstrate how clean electricity can be generated on the state's thousands of miles of state-owned freeway interchanges... The project is funded entirely by the private developer...