It takes incredible amounts of energy to melt snow. Michigan gets most of its electricity from natural gas and still has significant coal fired plants.
Ah, right. Obviously. Because the same amount of water needs to change phase.
Still, in that time this road will be walkable, while others may not. And you still avoid the piles of snow and salt runoff that come with a non-heated surface.
Seems like they are only installing the heat under the roadway, so walkable may not be the best word unless we expect pedestrains to share a lane with cars in the winter.
It takes incredible amounts of energy to melt snow. Michigan gets most of its electricity from natural gas and still has significant coal fired plants.
Ok, just plow it first like other areas do. Then maintain it/melt the ice with the roads.
It takes much less energy to prevent the accumulation in the first place. Which is the goal with this sort of setup.
It takes exactly the same amount of power. It’s just spread over a longer time period.
Ah, right. Obviously. Because the same amount of water needs to change phase.
Still, in that time this road will be walkable, while others may not. And you still avoid the piles of snow and salt runoff that come with a non-heated surface.
Seems like they are only installing the heat under the roadway, so walkable may not be the best word unless we expect pedestrains to share a lane with cars in the winter.