Eiffage initiative success

An innovation project that includes French contractor Eiffage, has won the Roads of the Future call for projects issued by the French environment and energy management agency (ADEME) as part of its Future Investment Programme (PIA).

I-Street is an innovation project which is said to be focused on systemic innovation in support of ecological and energy transitions in road transport infrastructures.

It is led by Eiffage in an exclusive partnership with energy operator Total, smart pigment company OliKrom, and IFSTTAR (the French institute of science and technology for transport, spatial planning, development and networks), which is the originator of and scientific co-ordinator for the Roads of the Future/Fifth-Generation Roads concept, sponsored jointly by the French ecology ministry and the ministry of higher education, research and innovation.

I-Street represents an investment of €15 million over four years, with a contribution of €10 million from the PIA. Demonstrators will be built across France – in Nantes, Toulouse, Lyon and Champs-sur-Marne.

Eiffage said that the project was part of a systemic approach. Six technological bricks are to be developed, covering all aspects of the ADEME Roads of the Future call for projects, including the development of a greener road industry, instrumented and connected smart roads, and the development of prefabricated/disassemblable roads, and safer, innovative road markings.