VAIL PASS SOLAR HEATED REST AREA. FINAL REPORT

The Vail Pass rest area building was designed and constructed to investigate the feasibility of using solar energy to provide heat for a public facility of this type. The location of the building at 10570 feet ASL near the continental divide would be a severe test of the system. The high cost of fossil fuel energy is a factor which would make the use of alternative heating methods attractive. The solar heating system uses air as the transfer medium, and a rock bin for storage of heat. Air circulating fans control the movement of the air through the system. The building was completed in 1980, but there were significant problems with the control system and in the mechanical components. The system was reworked and returned to operation in November 1983. Overall system performance has not been cost-effective.

• Corporate Authors:

  Colorado Department of Highways

  4201 East Arkansas Avenue
  Denver, CO  United States  80222

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Woodham, D B
• Publication Date: 1986-3

Media Info

• Pagination: 22 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cost effectiveness; Demonstration projects; Energy conservation; Feasibility analysis; Roadside rest areas; Solar energy; Solar power generation
• Subject Areas: Design; Energy; Environment; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Terminals and Facilities; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00458341
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: CDOH-DTP-R-85-4, 1597
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 30 1986 12:00AM