Investigating the Impact of Solar Highways on Driver’s Safety and Road Maintenance by Navaneeth K. Ramesh Thesis Submitted to the Department of Engineering Colorado State University – Pueblo In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Completed on 1st April, 2014 Abstract Navaneeth K. Ramesh for the degree of Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering presented on 1st April, 2014. Investigating the Impact of Solar Highways on Driver’s Safety and Road Maintenance Abstract approved: ___________________ Ananda Paudel, Ph.D. Effective utilization of vacant areas across highways could produce a significant amount of electricity from photovoltaic systems. The space available in the highway right-of-way (ROW) provides an opportunity for the solar PV system deployment. However, this is only feasible if it can be done in a manner that does not interfere with the operation and maintenance of the highway and does not create an unacceptable risk to the user. Potential impacts those are associated with solar highway that should not compromise risk of safety of the travelling people, road management crew and road management. There is a need on impact studies for Departments of Transportation (DOT) for considering ROW use for solar energy generation using ground mounted solar array systems. The objective of this thesis is to perform an impact analysis through case studies and identify the hazards. An evaluation matrix is developed based on several findings from literature, experimentation, site visits and personnel communication. The outcome in this study will facilitate PV deployment related decision process along with relevant mitigation strategies. In a broad scale, this will help to protect the general public and environment while generating power from systems as well as maintaining efficient ROW operations. ii Certificate of Acceptance This thesis, being presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science has been accepted by the Program of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Colorado State University – Pueblo. APPROVED Dr. Ananda Paudel Assistant Professor and Committee Chair Dr. Leonardo Bedoya-Valencia Assistant Professor and Committee Member Dr. Jerry Purswell Adjunct Faculty and Committee Member Master‘s Candidate: Navaneeth K. Ramesh Date of Thesis Presentation: 1st April, 2014 iii Acknowledgements This thesis would not have been possible without the guidance and the help of several individuals who, in one way or another, contributed and extended their valuable assistance in the preparation and completion of this study. First and foremost, I offer my utmost gratitude to my academic advisor and committee chair, Dr. Ananda Paudel, who introduced me to this topic and encouraged me to write this thesis. I appreciate his support throughout its development with his knowledge and patience. Without him, I would have been unable to put pen to paper and see this through to its conclusion. One simply could not wish for a better or friendlier advisor. I am very grateful to Dr. Leonardo Bedoya-Valencia and Dr. Jerry Purswell for their help, support, and expertise throughout this study. Their participation on the committee is greatly appreciated. I am indebted to Mr. Art Hirsch of Terra Logic Sustainable Solutions for allowing the opportunity to work on this topic and providing the means to perform the research necessary for its successful completion. I wish to thank all the members of Sandia Laboratories for providing me access to the SGHAT software even before its commercial release. I also wish to thank Dr. Tabler, for providing me access to his research papers on his snow drifting study. I would also like to acknowledge and thank all the members of CDOT involved in this project for giving me their valuable time, feedback and support of this thesis. I would also like to thank my dearest friends and my flat mates. Their unwavering support and encouraging words were a constant inspiration and a welcomed perspective at the most trying of times. Finally, I would like to thank my dearest parents and my brother for supporting me throughout all my studies. Without their motivational support, the completion of this degree would not have been possible. I dedicate this work to them. iv Abbreviations AASHTO American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Caltrans California Department of Transportation CBM Condition-based maintenance CDOT Colorado Department of Transportation CDPHE Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment CEQA California Environmental Quality Act CFR Code of Federal Regulations CPV Concentrated Photo Voltaic DNI Direct Normal Irradiance DOE The Department of Energy DOT Department of Transportation EPC Engineering-Procurement & Construction FHWA Federal Highway Administration FMEA Failure Mode and Effects Analysis kW Kilo Watts kWh Kilo Watt hours MassDOT Massachusetts Department of Transportation MUTCD Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices MW Mega Watts NREL National Renewable Energy Laboratory NW Parkway Northwest Parkway O&M Operations & Maintenance Ohio DOT Ohio Department of Transportation OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration PM Preventative maintenance PV Systems Photo Voltaic Systems R&D Research & Development REI Renewable Energy Installations ROW Right of Way RSDG Roadside Design Guide SAI Solar America Initiative SH-ROW State Highway Right of Way SMUD Sacramento Municipal Utility Districts University Colorado State University-Pueblo VGCS Veteran‘s Glass City Skyway WQCD Water Quality Control Division v Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ iv Abbreviations .................................................................................................................................. v List of Figures: .............................................................................................................................. vii List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ vii Thesis Outline ................................................................................................................................ ix Chapter 1 – Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 2 - Literature Review ......................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 3 – Objective ................................................................................................................... 40 Chapter 4 –Methodology .............................................................................................................. 41 Chapter 5 – Results ....................................................................................................................... 63 Chapter 6 – Conclusions & Recommendations ............................................................................ 68 Future Research: ........................................................................................................................... 70 REFERENCES: ............................................................................................................................ 71 APPENDICES .............................................................................................................................. 76 vi List of Figures: Figure 1. Solar PV system along highway E-470, Denver, CO ...................................................... 2 Figure 2. Stake holder's relationship chart for Solar Highways .................................................... 4 Figure 3. Components of a solar PV system .................................................................................. 6 Figure 4. Solar Highway at Oregon by ODOT ............................................................................ 10 Figure 5. Aerial view of the solar highway project by Ohio DOT .............................................. 11 Figure 6. Snow fences implemented in the State of Wyoming .................................................... 18 Figure 7. Snow fence recommendation by Tabler ....................................................................... 19 Figure 8. Ocular Hazard Plot ....................................................................................................... 26 Figure 9. Illustration of road signage on solar glare displayed at Massachusetts ........................ 29 Figure 10. Aerial view of the solar PV system at Colorado State University – Pueblo .............. 30 Figure 11. Key observation points considered for evaluation ..................................................... 31 Figure 12. SGHAT analysis sample for Colorado State University – Pueblo ............................. 33 Figure 13. Proposed risk analysis model for research evaluation ................................................ 37 Figure 14. Project development outline for research assessment ................................................ 41 Figure 15. Solar PV system installed at North West Parkway, Colorado.................................... 43 Figure 16. Solar PV system installed at the Denver Federal