Client: Heijmans | Duration: 2014-2017 | Role: Innovation Designer
The Challenge
In 2014, Heijmans partnered with renowned Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde on an ambitious Smart Highway project. The centerpiece was Glowing Lines: photoluminescent road markings that charge during the day and illuminate highways at night.
It generated massive international media attention. Then it failed within days.
Problem
- Design looked stunning but didn’t work in real conditions
- Electronics couldn’t survive moisture exposure
- Cost efficient maintenance was impossible
- Heijmans’ innovation reputation was at stake.
The Stakes & Constraints
Business Stakes
- International media watching the project
- Partnership with Studio Roosegaarde: artist vision vs engineering reality
- Multi-year maintenance contract with municipality
- Global interest to buy and install the product
Technical Constraints
- Road markings visible night & day, powered on or off
- Endure years of road stress and weather exposure
- Quick to install and maintain
- Customizable to different road situations
- Easy to ship around the world
Phase 1: Fix the Failing System
Problem
The first version of the Glowing Lines was breaking down faster than it could be repaired.
Approach
Focus on improving current design to stay true to Studio Roosegaardes vision and partnership.
- On site monitoring of installation
- Analyzed product failure through recreation in the lab
- Adding extra waterproofing solutions to protect electronics
- Improve adhesion to the road (redesign silicone profile, redesign asphalt slit, change of adhesives)
Collecting, analyzing and labeling faillures.
Measuring and troubleshooting the pilot installation.
Recreating the moisture faillures in the lab.
Result
Lifespan of the Glowing lines increased from days to months. Furthermore, a patent was granted for the new design.
Decison made
This design of Glowing lines was not a shipable product. Instead of an artists’ vision we needed a business case as a starting point. A technology change was needed.
Phase 2: Build a Commercial Product (SenseSight)
When Roosegaarde exited the project, constraints changed. The aim was to design a product that could out life the remaining 3 years of the maintenance contract and could be sold to all interested parties around the world. This became the SenseSight.
Key decisions
1. Switch from photoluminescence to LED technology
Electronic Luminescent tape was too susceptible to moisture and expensive to maintain. LEDs provided controllability, longevity, and lower manufacturing costs. This was the pivot from art project to commercial product.
Lab setup to test waterproofing of custom LED strip.
DMX lab setup to control RGB LED strips and program installation.
Custom designed LED strip with silicon cables.
2. Design for real-world installation
The design fits in a box to be shipped around the world and to construction sites. Easy to install, maintain, and replace with existing tools.
We tried different version of the extruded sillicon profile to get to a maximum adhesion in the road.
Each road marking consisted of a ledstrip, marking and glue.
Installation of the pilot on N329
3. Design according to road regulations
The design is visible day and night, even when electronics are turned off.
Result
Lifespan increased to out live the remaining 3 years of the maintenance contract without replacement.
Impact
What was delivered:
- Patent granted: NL WO2017086795A1 (light-transmitting road markings)
- SenseSight system installed and functional on N329 pilot
- Art project successfully transformed into commercially viable product
What I demonstrated:
- Complete product development from concept to working pilot
- Enabled management to make informed decisions on project viability
While Heijmans later shifted focus to other innovation priorities, the project proved the approach and was operational for the 3 remaining years of the maitenance contract.
Results & Problem Solving
Gerard de Leede“Very result-oriented. He knows how to transform difficult requirements into creative and economically viable solutions”
CTO Heijmans Technology
Client-Focused Problem Solving
Jozien van de Linde“Quick to understand and to translate clients’ needs in cutting edge proposals”
Managing Director Heijmans Technology
Speed & Expertise
Kristel van Haaren“Fast, masters his craft!”
Director Sales, Marketing & Business Development Hejmans
Innovation & Creativity
Jos Heerkens“Able to generate creative out of the box solutions”
Innovation Manager Heijmans