25 March 2024

The Swiss start-up URB-X wants to build smart bicycle tracks which are photovoltaic installations as well. Source: URB-X AG.

Urb-X AG developed a cycle highway elevated five metres above the ground.

Designed to complement what currently exists on the ground, the cycle highway aims to extend cycling infrastructure from the city centre towards the periphery to encourage people to travel longer distances by bike instead of car.

Integrated with pavement heating, the track has a non-slip surface even at freezing temperatures, which offers high traction and reduces the risk of fall. Sensors in the track also allow for intelligent lighting, traffic management and predictive maintenance.

To keep the infrastructure climate neutral, it is designed to produce up to 10 times more energy than it consumes with photovoltaic cells integrated in the track’s railing. By using solar power, the lighting, signalling and control technology can be supplied via these modules and even produce enough electricity to feed surplus energy back into the grid. The railings along the route are equipped with PV modules provided by IWB Industrielle Werke Basel.

Its modular nature gives clients full control when choosing what they want to see in their city’s cycle highway. From the length and course of the track, to the distance between, or the height of the pillars, clients such as city authorities and planning offices decide almost everything. The modularity also allows for the industrial pre-production of system elements to reduce the costs of the highway.

A 200-metre test track was recently completed in Basel on the Smart City Lab site.