Conversion of Roadway Noise to Electrical Energy: An Innovative Approach for Sustainable Energy Generation

Abstract

Roadway noise is the collective sound energy emanating from motor vehicles. It consists chiefly on road surfaces, tire, engine/transmission, aerodynamic, and braking elements. Noise of rolling tires driving on pavement is found to be the biggest contributor of highway noise and increases with higher vehicle speeds. This study explores the use of a rather unconventional form of energy (Sound). An application is proposed for the same in which a distinctly designed circuitry is used to convert the sound produced by a loudspeaker. Based on the law of electromagnetic induction, the vibrations produced by the speaker can be converted into electrical energy. The use of sound energy is both clean and unconventional. It is an entire paradigm shift from the concept of noise cancellation to a new idea of noise utilization. This paper takes a step forward in this direction, using sound as a source of energy to provide a viable electronic source in a vehicle, converting the sound waves into electrical energy indicator used to power streetlight. The result of this study shows the relationship between the spring displacement and the DC voltage generated, and the relationship between the sound source and the generated voltage. It follows that the relationship is directly proportional, and a 95 dB sound generated of 1.3V, which is regulated by using an XL4016 8A regulator to maintain a constant voltage of 2V required to lighten the LED indicator used to power the prototype streetlight implemented in this study.