Boston to Pilot Solar-Powered Evacuation System

Boston -- one of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Solar America Cities Special Projects -- has been awarded a DOE grant to establish a solar evacuation route, according to a release from Mayor Thomas M. Menino's Office. The $1,343,020 ARRA grant will allow the city to create a pilot solar evacuation route that will feature a backup photovoltaic (PV) system, as well as solar-powered traffic control and monitoring equipment, lighting and emergency radio repeaters. Grant funds will be used to make the Washington Street evacuation route operable on solar energy in the case of an emergency, such as a blackout or a natural disaster. Street lights, traffic lights, video cameras, message boards and gas pumps along the evacuation route will be solar powered. For a map of Boson's alternative energy resources, click here.