Eco speed bumps generate power
Speed bumps which generate power when cars travel over them are set to be used to power traffic lights in the UK.
The £55,000 sleeping policemen will be tested in Ealing, West London as part of a pilot scheme - each one is capable of generating more than £20,000 worth of power over 12 months.
The 'green' device works by moving up and down as vehicles drive over them, this moves a cog under the road which turns a motor - in turn producing mechanical energy.
A steady stream of traffic passing over the bump can generate 10-36kW of power, enough to power traffic lights and put unused electricity into the national grid.
Designers add that the speed hump would not damage your car and do nut use more petrol ... but he also said claiming you were 'speeding to save the environment' wouldn't get you out of a ticket.
The 'electro-kinetic road ramp' could be used by more than 200 councils and supermarket chains are also looking at installing them in their car parks.
A spokesperson for Hughes Reseach who make the ramp said: "The Ramp operates by virtue of a number of articulated plates placed in the road.
"When vehicles weight is exerted on the plates they are moved up and down and by means of a specially designed mechanism, a generator is driven, which is capable of producing AC or DC current.
"In either event, the generator's output will vary according to the frequency and weight of traffic, but in general terms will be capable of producing between 5 and 10kW."
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