
Client & Team
- Heijmans is one of the largest Dutch construction companies, specializing in residential construction, infrastructure, and urban development projects across the Netherlands.
- Worked together with the innovation team (4 members)
Project
In 2014 Heijmans started the Smart Highway project in collaboration with Studio Roosegaarde. Glowing Lines was one of the innovations, featuring photo-luminescent road markings that charge during the day and illuminate the road at night. After prototyping, in 2014 a pilot was constructed on the N329 in Oss, the Netherlands.
Scope
The initial implementation of the Glowing Lines on the N329 failed fairly quickly. The innovation team needed to analyse why it had failed and find a solution to get the pilot up and running again. When the original visual design of Studio Roosegaarde was not feasible, the Heijmans innovation team designed and implemented the succesor of the Glowing lines on the N329.
Challenges
- The N329 was an actively used road with a lot of daily traffic.
- The electronics to light the lines were extremely susceptible to moisture
- There was an ambition to turn the pilot into a commercial product that could be installed on large stretches and various climates
- The pilot should work for 5 years
- Road safety needed to be guaranteed




Impact
The Glowing Lines project got international media attention and gave Heijmans the public image of an innovative company. I was able to be at the forefront of road innovation and had the possibility to pilot in real life situations.
- Successfully iterated the design and implementation of the Glowing Lines
- Co-author of a patent for light transmitting road marking. NL WO2017086795A1
- Implementation of the Glowing Lines successor on the N329


Role
The main focus was on the Glowing Lines project and its successor as an innovation designer.
- Waterproofing electronics that can be implemented in a road
- Setting up stress tests
- Conducting material research
- Sourcing and supplier contact
- Rapid prototyping e.g. 3D-printing, laser-cutting, molding.
- Creating artist impressions of possible project for Heijmans aquisition team
- Preparing and managing implemention on the N329
- Presenting results to upper management
- Making patent drawings
Results & Problem Solving
Gerard de Leede“Very result-oriented. He knows how to transform difficult requirements into creative and economically viable solutions”
CTO Heijmans Technology
Client-Focused Problem Solving
Jozien van de Linde“Quick to understand and to translate clients’ needs in cutting edge proposals”
Managing Director Heijmans Technology
Speed & Expertise
Kristel van Haaren“Fast, masters his craft!”
Director Sales, Marketing & Business Development Hejmans
Innovation & Creativity
Jos Heerkens“Able to generate creative out of the box solutions”
Innovation Manager Heijmans