Roads are no longer just asphalt, signs, and streetlights: today they are becoming smart infrastructures capable of saving energy, reducing emissions and improving securitySpain and Europe are accelerating this transformation with ambitious strategies, new technologies, and pilot projects that are gradually ceasing to be experiments and becoming part of everyday life.
In this context, so-called smart roads rely on sensors, data management, low-energy lighting, renewable energy and connected vehicles to achieve safer, more efficient, and more sustainable mobility. It may sound very futuristic, but many of these solutions are already in place in tunnels, highways, and urban access roads across the country.
The energy challenge of the State Road Network
The State Road Network (RCE), managed by the Directorate General of Highways, starts from a complicated situation: its facilities involve one of the highest electricity consumers in the entire Administration, with historical figures close to 145-146 GWh per year.
That expense translates into an annual bill of between 30 and 40 million euros, a huge amount that the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility wants to cut by at least half before 2030, in line with the 2030 Agenda, the Recovery Plan and the Next Generation European funds.
Most of that electricity goes towards lighting and ventilation: around 73% of consumption is concentrated in tunnels (approximately 106,8 GWh/year) and approximately 22% in open-air sections (approximately 32,8 GWh/year). The remainder corresponds to intelligent transport systems, operating buildings, and other auxiliary equipment.
Given this scenario, the Ministry has defined a specific Energy Efficiency Strategy 2030 for roads, which sets ambitious savings and emissions reduction targets and details the main lines of action that will be progressively deployed throughout the network.
This strategy will be complemented by an Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2030, which will function as operational roadmap, monitoring tool and investment review mechanismensuring that the projects actually reach the ground.
2030 goals: halve consumption
The major challenge set by the Ministry is that, by 2030, the electricity consumption of the grid can decrease by between 40% and 50% without compromising road safetyIt's not just about changing streetlights, but about redesigning how the entire infrastructure is illuminated, ventilated, and managed.
To achieve this, the RCE's Energy Efficiency Strategy defines several areas of action: Modernization of lighting, smart management, reduced consumption in tunnels, building improvements and efficiency criteria in contracts conservation and exploitation.
In numerical terms, the goal is to bring the target network consumption below 90 million kWh per yearStarting from a base consumption of around 145 million kWh, this leap will involve not only technology, but also regulatory changes, new sustainability clauses, and much finer management of daily operations.
Much of the necessary investment is financed with funds from the Recovery Plan and the Addendum agreed with the European Commission, which require to meet specific milestones in modernization and energy saving within very clear timeframes.
Lines of action in energy efficiency of roads
The Spanish strategy structures its actions around three main axes: Lighting upgrades, advanced remote management, and strict adherence to safety requirementsIn addition to this, measures are being taken in buildings and vehicle fleets.
First, a massive renovation of the lighting in tunnels and open-air sections will be undertaken, replacing high-pressure sodium vapor (HPS) lamps with high-performance LED technology. These new luminaires must meet very strict requirements, such as certified useful lives of type L90B10_100.000hwhich in practice means fewer interventions, fewer lane closures and lower maintenance costs.
Secondly, the deployment of intelligent management systems (IMS) will enable to regulate in real time the intensity of the light and the operation of the equipment depending on traffic, weather conditions, or incidents. For this purpose, remote management nodes compatible with international standards and connectors such as NEMA or Zhaga will be required.
In parallel, action will be taken on other relevant consumption areas: tunnel ventilation, air conditioning and insulation of operating buildings, interior lighting, schedules and instructions of facility use. All of this will also be applied to maintenance contracts, where sustainability clauses will be introduced that will reward the most efficient proposals.
Smart lighting: safety and savings in balance
One of the areas where the most savings can be made without lowering the level of service is street lighting. Replacing PV systems with LEDs, together with dynamic management systems, allows Estimated energy consumption reductions of between 50% and 80% compared to traditional lighting.
On intercity highways, unlike urban streets, the critical variable is the average luminance of the pavementThat is, the light reflected by the road surface and road markings towards the driver's eyes. Regulations require levels that range approximately between 0,30 and 2,00 cd/m² depending on the type of road and its average daily traffic (ADT).
The new intelligent lighting systems allow these levels to be adjusted to the actual needs of the moment: During off-peak hours, the intensity is reduced. to predetermined values, and the system can raise it immediately when it detects passing vehicles, low visibility conditions, or an incident.
Accident studies, such as those conducted by specialized institutes, show that Inadequate lighting in key locations significantly increases nighttime accidentsespecially run-off-track accidents. That's why, in interchanges, complex junctions, problematic access points, or tunnels, the priority is to maintain safety and use technology only when absolutely necessary.
Efficient transport: less consumption, fewer emissions and more savings
Transportation is responsible for around a 30% of energy consumption and a very significant portion of emissions of greenhouse gases. Improving its energy efficiency is a fundamental pillar of any sustainable mobility strategy.
Efficiency measures not only reduce emissions of COâ‚‚, NOx or fine particles, but also They cut the operating costs of companies and administrationsIn commercial fleets, fuel can represent up to 40% of total expenses, so any improvement in efficiency has a direct impact on the bottom line.
Citizens also benefit from more efficient mobility: Less fuel, less time in traffic jams, and lower maintenance costs of the vehicle thanks to smoother driving and infrastructure that helps avoid situations of mechanical stress.
At the same time, a sustained reduction in congested traffic and local emissions has clear effects on public health, contributing to to lower the incidence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases linked to poor urban air quality.
Key technologies for energy efficiency in transport
Intelligent traffic management systems based on AI and real-time data analysis enable coordinate traffic lights, manage access and optimize flowsThis reduces waiting times by up to around 25% and decreases both fuel consumption and emissions. Elements such as adaptive traffic lights and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication come into play here.
Telemetry and fleet management systems are continuously analyzing driving patterns, maintenance and consumption, detecting inefficiencies and proposing improvements: from alternative routes to predictive maintenance reminders, to specific training to achieve more efficient driving.
Intelligent navigation systems no longer simply calculate the shortest route: they take into account traffic density, topography, speed limits, roadworks and energy consumption as planned, which can significantly reduce both travel time and fuel or battery energy consumption.
European strategies and policies for more sustainable transport
At the European level, there is a very strong political and regulatory framework that promotes energy efficiency in transport and the transformation of roads. The climate and energy legislative package sets the target of reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030with transportation as a key element.
The European Green Deal includes the Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy, which aims to cut transport emissions by 90% by 2050To achieve this, mass electrification, sustainable alternative fuels, and improved performance across all modes of transport are being promoted.
Vehicle energy labeling regulations require manufacturers to offer clear information on consumption and emissionsThis makes it easier for users to compare models and pushes the market towards more efficient ones. Furthermore, many countries offer tax incentives and subsidies for the purchase of low- or zero-emission vehicles.
In parallel, the AFIR regulation on infrastructure for alternative fuels establishes binding targets for the deployment of electric and hydrogen refueling points distributed across major European transport networks. This, combined with investments in public transport and intermodal solutions, fosters a gradual shift towards more efficient mobility options.
Smart roads: what they are and how they work
Within this ecosystem, smart roads are conceived as infrastructures capable of communicating, adapting and making decisions data-based. They are not just paved roads, but complex systems that integrate ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) technologies with the aim of improving safety, traffic flow and energy efficiency.
Until recently, most innovation was concentrated in vehicles (ADAS, electric cars, assisted driving), but now The infrastructures themselves are beginning to transform into communication channelsSignals, variable message signs, sensors in the road surface, cameras, connected beacons and control centers are coordinated to offer safer, more sustainable and increasingly automated mobility.
These smart roads use a huge volume of information about traffic conditions, weather conditions, incidents, roadworks or presence of vulnerable usersThe goal is to react quickly, anticipate risk situations, and reduce the energy consumption of all associated elements.
In short, we are talking about routes that are capable of becoming an active part of the mobility system, exchanging data with vehicles, control centers and other urban services, instead of simply being a surface to drive on.
Technological innovations in smart roads
Various cutting-edge technologies These technologies have been incorporated to make all of this possible. Among them are Big Data, IoT sensors, drones, 5G connectivity, BIM, blockchain technology, and advanced monitoring systems.
Big Data applied to mobility allows collect and process millions of data points on traffic, weather or incidentsgenerating predictive models that help to decongest roads, adjust lighting levels and better plan maintenance interventions.
Drones are used for inspecting the state of infrastructure, assessing damage after natural disasters, or monitoring hard-to-reach areasThese unmanned aircraft provide real-time information at a much lower cost and risk than traditional inspections.
Blockchain technology is beginning to be explored for manage traffic data, tolls and payment systems with greater transparency, security, and traceability. It can also play a role in coordinating shared mobility services and advanced logistics.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) methodology, combined with GIS, is applied to the design and construction of roads to create detailed digital models of the entire infrastructureincluding structures, pavements, drainage, and buried services. This simplifies planning, reduces errors, and allows for managing the entire lifecycle of the road with lower costs and greater reliability.
5G connectivity, IoT and road sensors
5G connectivity is a central component of the new mobility ecosystem, as its high speed and low latency enable near real-time communications between vehicles and infrastructureThis data exchange (V2V and V2I) improves both security and efficiency.
Advanced mobile networks, IoT, and sensor monitoring enable control asphalt temperature, concrete curing stage, vibrations, deformations, machinery consumption, and environmental conditions throughout the entire network. Specialized companies already offer commercial solutions for real-time monitoring of pavements and structures.
Laser scanning and point clouds, combined with artificial intelligence algorithms, are used to detect microcracks, potholes and other defects when they are still incipient, prioritizing interventions and avoiding much more costly repairs in the future.
All this deployment of sensors and connectivity results in a digital layer superimposed on the physical road, which facilitates a predictive maintenance and a much more sustainable management of material and energy resources.
Real-world examples of smart roads and pilot projects
Spain already has several practical examples of smart roads that serve as laboratories for testing advanced technologies and management models. These projects, spread across the country, demonstrate that Smart roads are no longer science fiction.
In Malaga, for example, a testing area with a private 4G-5G network has been created where systems such as the eCall, collision alerts, traffic jam or roadwork warnings, in collaboration with government agencies and technology companies.
The Cereixal tunnel (Lugo) offers a digitized environment in which drivers They receive real-time information about traffic conditions and tunnel status.improving safety in a particularly sensitive section.
In Vigo, a two-way communication channel has been implemented for taxis, police, firefighters, ambulances, and buses, so that The traffic light network can give priority to emergency vehicles, reduce response times and improve urban road safety.
On the Fornells-Vilademuls motorway, European projects such as Inframix and C-Roads Spain have allowed for testing Mixed traffic with autonomous and connected vehicles, advanced flow management, and 5G coverage along a 34-kilometer stretch of high-capacity road.
Big Data, AI and connected vehicle platforms
The massive use of data from vehicles, smartphones, road sensors and satellites It is redefining how mobility is managed. The sharing economy and shared data services help optimize routes, reduce traffic congestion, and improve the user experience.
The Directorate General of Traffic is working on a Connected Vehicle Platform (DGT 3.0) which aims to, in the coming years, all cars are connected to a real-time information cloudThe system will allow warnings of traffic jams, roadworks, accidents, broken-down vehicles, or the presence of cyclists or other vulnerable road users.
Information will flow bidirectionally: infrastructures and control centers will be able to send alerts to vehiclesBut they will also collect data from them to improve their understanding of what is happening on the road network. All of this will be supported by 5G networks and open standards that facilitate interoperability.
This approach, based on Big Data and advanced analytics, also allows us to explore new models of shared mobility, autonomous vehicles and dynamic parking managementas pilot studies in various European cities have shown.
Renewable energy, solar pavements and radiant asphalt
Integrating renewable energy into road infrastructure itself opens up a vast field of possibilities. There are lines of research that seek to harness this potential. solar radiation that hits asphalt and paved surfaces to generate thermal or electrical energy.
The concept of radiant asphalt proposes converting roads, parking lots, or airport runways into solar thermal collectorsBeneath the pavement, a network of pipes would be installed containing a fluid that absorbs heat and carries it to underground reservoirs where it is stored year-round, establishing an interesting link with geothermal energy.
That stored energy could be used to to power heating and hot water systems of nearby facilitiessuch as sports centers, swimming pools or public buildings, and also to de-ice roads in winter and cool them in summer, reducing the heat island effect in cities.
Another line of innovation is photovoltaic roads, which integrate rough solar panels capable of withstanding the passage of vehicles and offer a grip similar to that of asphalt. These panels consist of an ultra-resistant and translucent top layer, a middle layer with solar cells and electronics, and a bottom layer with service conduits.
Rest areas could be installed charging systems for electric cars powered by these plates, creating an ecosystem of energy-producing highways that reduces the use of fossil fuels and the associated COâ‚‚ emissions.
Innovative materials: fluorescent lighting, starpath and graphene
In addition to smart electrical systems, materials research is yielding interesting and very promising energy solutions. One example is... Fluorescent paints that absorb sunlight during the day and emit it at nightallowing lane marking and signage without the need for so much lighting.
Another similar development is the so-called starpath, a coating that It glows in the dark, is non-slip, and reduces the need for artificial lighting.This type of solution could be very interesting in bike lanes, pedestrian paths, or rural sections with low traffic intensity.
Interactive lights have also been tested that They only turn on when they detect the presence of vehicles. and they turn off a few minutes later, which drastically reduces consumption compared to keeping the streetlights on all night.
Meanwhile, materials like graphene open up a potential generational leap. This material, extremely durable, lightweight, flexible and an extraordinary conductorResearch is underway to create new types of solar panels, coatings, sensors, and even ultra-high-performance hydrogen batteries.
Its self-repairing capabilities, radiation resistance, and near-ballistic electronic behavior make it, at least on paper, an ideal candidate for to revolutionize the way infrastructures produce, store, and manage energyalthough there is still a way to go before its mass deployment.
Greener public buildings, vehicle fleet and contracts
Energy efficiency on roads is not limited to asphalt or streetlights: it also encompasses conservation buildings, control centers, machinery parks and vehicle fleets associated with the operation of the network.
In the building sector, improvements in insulation, the use of passive design techniques, the incorporation of renewable energies (solar, geothermal, biomass) and the renovation of air conditioning and lighting equipment can to significantly reduce energy demand, following standards such as Passivhaus or other high efficiency certifications.
The Ministry has set itself the goal that, by 2030, around the 55% of the General Directorate of Highways' own fleet is electric or hybridThis requires a planned investment of several million euros and the installation of charging points at bases and workplaces.
Furthermore, road maintenance and operation contracts are incorporating sustainability clauses that reward proposals with lower energy consumption and a smaller carbon footprint, pushing concessionary and maintenance companies to innovate in their processes and equipment.
This combination of measures creates a virtuous circle: More efficient infrastructure, cleaner vehicles, and more committed operators with the reduction of emissions and the responsible use of resources.
Challenges, opportunities and the role of cybersecurity
The transformation of roads into intelligent systems also presents significant challenges. One of them is the initial cost of advanced technologieswhich may pose a barrier to entry for some administrations and companies, although the operational savings in the medium term tend to offset these investments.
Another key aspect is the deployment of the necessary infrastructure, especially regarding electric vehicle charging networks, continuous 5G coverage and robust remote management systemsThis opens up great opportunities for business and innovation, but requires coordinated planning.
Cybersecurity becomes critical in an environment where thousands of devices, sensors, and control systems share data in real time. It is essential. to protect information, ensure the integrity of control orders, and safeguard user privacyso that digitization does not open the door to new risks.
Finally, the adoption of efficient mobility solutions and smart roads requires training and awareness for both professionals and driversas well as public-private collaboration frameworks that accelerate the adoption of technologies and distribute costs and benefits in a balanced way.
With this whole range of measures—from modernizing lighting and installing sensors in tunnels to smart roads, Big Data, renewable energies, and new materials—roads are becoming a central axis of the energy transition and sustainable mobility, capable of reducing consumption, emissions and accidents while promoting industrial and technological innovation in the sector.
