At a time when greater consideration is being given to autonomous vehicles, road infrastructure is being adapted and digitised in order to respond to the new uses of motorists. The challenges of the road of tomorrow are numerous: safety, traffic management, reduction of CO2 emissions, etc. In view of these challenges, new services are emerging such as carpooling lanes, free-flow systems and connected motorway rest areas. The road is now shared and connected.
A recognised partner of road and motorway infrastructure managers and operators, Eiffage Énergie Systèmes supports tomorrow’s roads by offering secure, smart and scalable equipment.
For safer and more secure roads
Safety is an imperative that must benefit all components of the road: users, vehicles and infrastructure. In the case of roads and motorways, it is necessary to be able to alert, guide and ensure the safety of motorists in the event of a lack of visibility, obstacles or heavy traffic. New information and communication technologies allow traffic to be managed more closely thanks to the collection and transmission of data.
Our teams, in partnership with Eiffage Route, have developed Guid N’Grip, an alert system that improves the visibility of a bend in the road. A Sécuriprène® coating and Led studs mark the bend; the studs light up when a radar detects oncoming vehicles. This solution is currently in the experimental phase.
Supporting the new uses of motorists
With the increased use of motorways, operators also need to rethink infrastructure such as rest areas. New technologies can be used to improve the safety and quality of services for customers.
Eiffage Énergie Systèmes is working on one of the most important connected rest area projects, the Jugy rest area on the A6. Our teams have deployed autonomous and connected sensors at different points on the site. They ensure the safety of pedestrians with crossings that light up at night. The flow of vehicles is also improved thanks to guided parking based on dynamic signage.
In the near future, a new wave of solutions will be tested to further improve safety. Sensor mat 3.0 will send pedagogical messages to motorists entering the connected rest area. They will be informed of their speed and tyre pressure. The system will also detect vehicles leaving the rest area in the wrong direction and alert the entire safety chain.
Reducing CO2 emissions
Carpooling is one of the solutions to tackle the congestion of major roads, particularly in the vicinity of major cities. To improve the flow of traffic, it is necessary to encourage the development of roads. How? By offering lanes reserved for vehicles with more than two passengers. Eiffage Énergie Systèmes has developed a solution adapted to regional constraints by combining signage, lighting and artificial intelligence.
At peak times, car users and those travelling in an electric or hydrogen vehicle are invited to use reserved lanes, indicated by markings on the ground and lights. A video-surveillance system monitors whether motorists comply with these instructions, automatically detects single-occupancy vehicles and, in this case, issues a fine.
This solution is currently being tested in Lyon as part of the downgrading of the A6-A7 motorway.
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At the heart of major transport infrastructureAs a veritable system integrator, Eiffage Énergie Systèmes supports the design of major road, motorway and rail transport infrastructure projects.
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Bringing electricity to as many people as possibleEiffage Énergie Systèmes responds to the needs of the regions when managing large-scale projects by being at the forefront of innovation and at the service of transport infrastructure and power-grid operators.