As the World Gears Up for the Most Sustainable Olympics to Date, a Kinetic Walkway is Unveiled
(OLYMPICS TECHNOLOGY)
As the world gears up to watch the Olympics and witness some of the greatest athletic feats of the decade, they are also gearing up to witness a technological feat; a kinetic-power-lit sidewalk that will be a contributor to what will be the most energy-efficient Olympics to date. London 2012 has unveiled this exciting concept at the West Ham station in Newham.
Britain-based Pavegen Systems is behind the project, which features slabs made out of recycled components such as lorry tires and aluminum which, when stepped on, powers the system. When people step on the slabs over the course of the Olympics, they will be helping to generate an estimated 21 kilowatt hours of electricity.
The head of sustainability for the London Organising Committee, David Stubbs, is enthusiastic about the potential that the sidewalk has and what it represents for the games, saying, “We want people coming to the Games to be able to do their bit for the environment and this is a great example where, literally in a few steps, people can actively contribute towards making these truly sustainable Games.”
Other strategies for sustainability during the Olympic Games include: reducing the demand for potable by 40 percent, a revolutionary waste management program, and encouraging spectators to walk and cycle to the events by offering free cycle parking and guided cycle rides and walks.
This year’s Olympic Games promise to be remarkable in a number of ways, showcasing achievements both on and off of the athletic field. In a decade in which sustainability and technology are on the forefront of the international consciousness, London 2012 will be representative of a new era’s advancements, and the kinetic walkway in the West Ham station will serve as a true symbol of the vision behind the most sustainable Olympic Games to date.
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Edited by Allison Boccamazzo
