Researchers installed 10 electrically conductive concrete slabs in the south parking lot at Iowa Department of Transportation headquarters in Ames, Iowa. The experiment tested whether electrically powered pavement could stay warm enough to limit snow and ice accumulation. The InTrans project record says the slabs showed promising results during the 2018-2021 winter seasons. Heating performance was assessed through sensors during snow and ice events, while a programmable logic controller allowed the system to be operated and monitored remotely. The project was sponsored by the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Iowa Highway Research Board. The findings demonstrate how pavement materials and electrical systems could work together, but do not establish that the method can replace conventional treatment across an entire road network.
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