Port Mann Bridge Modification

By Jacob KwackAnd

Jason Verlarde

Problem

Ice falling off the cables on the Port Mann Bridge has caused a lot of problems, mainly the windshield shattering event. This also creates the risk of getting vehicle damage, as well as getting caught in a traffic during winter.

SolutionThe solution we came up is to take use of the heat tapes. They are approximately 1 to 2 dollars for several hundred meters, which is pretty cheap compared to how much money they poured into making the new bridge.

Electricity passing through the tape will cause it to heat up. Which will then melt the ice that is building up on the cable during the harsh winter conditions.

Economically speaking…The source of electricity will come from the mainland, and will use up more electricity. We want to find a way to make the bridge have its own power source

To solve this, we have come up with the idea of using speed bumpers to create the electricity. By converting the kinetic energy used during breaks, the energy can be reused for the purposes of heating up the tapes.

Fact: with 580 cars passing one bumper can power up a 150 square foot billboard forthe entire day.

The Bridge

The Speed Bumpers can be implemented in the beginning and the end of the bridge, and since the bump is not that great it will be ok after putting up a warning sign.

BenefitsBefore: Tolls: $3 per crossing, overdue charges pay interest of 19% annually.

Twice everyday? Means $6, Per Month(approx. 30 days): $180, Every Year? Approx. $2160

After: Tolls: $1 per crossingPer Month(approx. 30 days): $60Every Year? Approx. $720

Saves $1440!

The energy created through the bumpers will then be sold out to the community. Which will create money that can be used during winter to heat up the cables to prevent ice falls. This would mean the people will be making the energy that would be used to heat the cable, so the price for crossing the bridge can be cut down.

Images.Google.ca

Wikipedia.org

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/11/drivers-generate-electricity-by-going-over-speed-bumps/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Mann_Bridge

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/photo/v0/239312392/sale_roof_and_gutter_snow_melting_heating.jpg

http://ak6.picdn.net/shutterstock/videos/3001579/preview/stock-footage-a-starry-night-looking-at-downtown-vancouver-bc-canada-boats-floating-on-the-ocean-as-stars.jpg

Bibliography