# Heated Streets Self-Heating Roads Will Make Winter Driving Safer By Meghan Young | Published 2009-12-03 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/self-heating-roads References: [gizmodo](http://gizmodo.com/#5417008/self%20heating-roads-clear-snow-with-ease) & [newscientist](http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20427366.600-radiator-roads-too-hot-for-ice-to-handle.html) As a driver, I get extremely irritated by people who drastically change their driving styles as soon as the weather takes a turn for the worse; but with these self-heating roads, that may mean the end of such annoyances. Don't get me wrong, people should be cautious, but there's a point in which being too 'safe' becomes a hazard itself. Thankfully, researchers from the [University of Houston](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/squid-skin) has created self-heating roads made from [carbon nanofiber](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carbon-nanotube-heated-blanket). With help from an electrical element, it would warm routes enough to melt ice. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.9/10 - Popularity: 33% | Activity: 77% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Self-heating Materials:** Opportunities to innovate self-heating materials such as carbon nanofibers can lead to safer transportation and energy-efficient infrastructures. - **Smart Transport Solutions:** The invention of self-heating roads indicates an opportunity for the development of smart transport solutions that prioritize both energy-efficiency and safety. - **Climate-responsive Technologies:** Climate-responsive technologies like self-heating roads can pave the way for cities and industries to adapt to changing weather patterns. ### Where This Applies - **Transportation:** The transportation industry can leverage self-heating roads for improved safety and fuel efficiency during extreme weather conditions. - **Infrastructure:** Self-heating road technology can disrupt the infrastructure industry by providing a cost-effective solution to managing winter weather events. - **Renewable Energy:** Carbon nanofiber technology has the potential to be harnessed in renewable energy industries for the production of energy-efficient and sustainable materials. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Transforming Smart Vehicle Tires](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/conqueror-tire.md) - [Thermoregulating Car Cloaks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/car-cloak.md) - [Autonomous Road-Assessing Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lane-monitoring.md) - [Safety-Optimized Winter Tires](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/michelin-xice-snow-tires.md) - [Warming Graphene-Enhanced Desk Mats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heated-desk-pad.md) - [Swedish Electric Road Highways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trafikverket.md) - [Snow-Ready Electric Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/article-circle.md) - [Fabric Heating Concept](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moritz-walter.md) - [Ultra-Efficient Heated Blankets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carbon-nanotube-heated-blanket.md)