Putting the SC in SCORE: Solar Car Optimized Route Estimation and Smart Cities

TL;DR

This paper introduces SCORE, an optimization system for route estimation of solar-powered vehicles based on solar radiance data, and explores its integration into smart city infrastructure and sustainable urban transportation.

Contribution

It presents a systemic analysis of SCORE within smart cities, including sustainability, business models, and infrastructure design considerations, extending beyond technical challenges.

Findings

SCORE can optimize vehicle routes based on solar exposure data.

Integration of SCORE with smart city systems enhances urban transportation sustainability.

Design considerations for infrastructure to support SCORE are proposed.

Abstract

Solar exposure of streets and parking spaces in dense urban areas varies significantly due to the infrastructure: buildings, parks, tunnels, multistorey car parks. This variability leaves space for both real-time and offline route and parking optimization for solar-powered vehicles. In this chapter we present Solar Car Optimized Route Estimation (SCORE), our optimization system based on historic and current solar radiance measurements. In addition to the comprehensive review of SCORE, we offer a new perspective on it by embedding it in the bigger picture of smart cities (SC): we analyze SCORE's relationship with the smart power generation and distribution systems (smart grid), novel transportation paradigms and communication advancements. While the previous work on SCORE was focused on technical challenges which are described in the first part of this chapter (optimization, communication, sensor data collection and fusion), here we proceed with a systemic approach and observe a SCORE-equipped unit in the near-future society, examine the sustainability of the model and possible business models based on it. We consider the problem of vehicle routing and congestion avoidance using incentives for users on non-critical journeys and co-existence of SCORE and non-SCORE using vehicles. Realistic pointers for SCORE-aware design of infrastructure are also given, both for improved data collection and improved solar exposure while considering trade-offs for non-SCORE users.