Halcrow continues to help the Highways Agency (HA) identify new and innovative ways of reducing the energy and maintenance costs of its road network, thanks to an investigation into fuel cell technologies for traffic signals and signs.

Aligning with the key objectives of the HA’s Sustainability Action Development Plan, the Agency is considering the use of alternative sources of electrical energy that are lower in carbon emissions. While solar and wind power is now an established alternative, electrical energy storage is still confined to traditional battery types.

With fuel cell technologies increasingly attractive due to low emissions and efficiency, the challenge for the Agency is to determine whether the ratio of physical size versus power output, can meet the requirements of energy-heavy traffic signal control equipment.

Under the commission, Halcrow will:

	review the status of fuel cell technologies and their application across industry
	review present and future cost projections for fuel cell deployment and use
	review energy demand for control units across the network
	review the sustainability, environmental and health and safety issues associated with fuel cell technology deployment and use
	review operation and maintenance issues associated with the use of fuel cell technologies
	consider fuel cell applications under a cost benefit analysis
	provide recommendations on the applicability of fuel cell technologies to supply traffic signal control equipment on the trunk road network

If initial investigations confirm fuel cell technologies as sufficiently advanced to meet consumption needs, meet the HA’s sustainability objectives and provide a cost effective alternative to traditional batteries, a site trial may then be required.

Halcrow’s current commission - scheduled for completion in early 2008 - includes the development of site identification and trial specifications, should it be required.