On the occasion of the Convention for French Mayors and Local Authorities, held in Paris, France from November 21 to 23, 2017, Colas is unveiling its latest road innovation, Flowell, a dynamic, scalable and modular signaling solution that aims to optimize urban space, traffic flows, safety and the coexistence of multiple forms of transport.

The Flowell solution, developed by Colas R & D in collaboration with CEA Tech, makes it possible to organize the shared space of roads and city streets thanks to a device based on the dynamic control of light-emitting signaling. Installed on existing roads, Flowell offers a great degree of flexibility and adapts the infrastructure to the needs of the community in real time.

What are the uses of Flowell?
Flowell streamlines traffic on existing roadways by giving priority to certain users over specific time periods. For example, communities can turn parking spaces reserved in the daytime for deliveries into car parking spaces at night. They can also create temporary drop-off spaces around schools, and secure pedestrian crosswalks by enhancing their visibility and that of pedestrians with light-emitting markings. In the longer term with this innovation, a continuous line can become discontinuous and instantaneously redistribute the number of allocated lanes according to real-time traffic conditions. 

How does Flowell work?
The Flowell solution consists of panels bonded to the pavement that can bear all types of vehicle traffic with the same grip as conventional road surfacing. The panels, composed of LEDs encapsulated in a multilayer substrate, are connected to an electrical grid and controlled remotely. 

At what stage of its development is Flowell?
After extensive laboratory tests, the Flowell innovation is now entering an experimental trial period. During this stage, several trial sites will be deployed to test the solution in real conditions and benefit from the experience of partner communities and users as to the relevance of its uses, ergonomics and urban integration.