Roadway Electrifictions : Regional Impacts Assessment

Roadway electrification has been proposed to address urban air pollution. The impacts on fossil fuel use and the electric utility industry are investigated, and the regional economic effects of this technology are assessed. The analysis initially involved the development of a roadway electrification network scenario selected from several alternatives on the basis of sensitivity analyses that allowed for variability in network location, network lane kilometers (miles), and market penetration of roadway-powered electric vehicles. A comparative analysis of emissions and fossil fuel usage between the roadway electrification scenario and a baseline (no roadway electrification) was performed. Emissions investigated were reactive organic gases, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and particulate matter. Petroleum and natural gas were the fossil fuels considered. Findings indicated that overall moderate reductions in emissions for all pollutants and petroleum usage may be obtained, but a sizable increase in natural gas consumption was likely. A small increase in generating capacity for the electric utilities was projected. The cost analysis of the system included construction and operating expenses of the electrified roadway and life cycle costs to facility users. The technology may offer economic advantage to users over the life of the vehicle if roadway infrastructure costs are subsidized like conventional nonpowered highway developments.