A piezoelectric–electromagnetic hybrid vehicle-road energy harvesting bump

Abstract Road energy harvesting holds significant potential for powering widely distributed low-power sensors in transportation environments, thereby advancing intelligent and sustainable road systems. However, critical bottlenecks persist, including poor impact resistance and low power output. To address these challenges, we propose a piezoelectric–electromagnetic hybrid vehicle-road energy harvesting bump (PVEHB). The bump utilizes the deformation of a compliant structure and flexible rope drive to filter out the impact accompanied by vehicle rolling excitation. PVEHB enhances power generation efficiency by employing a bidirectional driving mechanism that sustains high driving force. The use of piezoelectric–electromagnetic hybrid structure has a dual function: providing sustainable energy for micro-electromechanical systems and synchronously achieving environmental health monitoring. The integration of PVEHB into speed bumps can reduce installation costs and minimize its interference with transportation systems. The dynamic models of PVEHB were established and experimentally validated. The study investigated the system’s electrical responses under varying excitations, revealing the influence law of key design parameters on its electrical performance. The experimental results show that The piezoelectric energy harvester attained a maximum power output of 0.14 mW at an optimal load resistance of 5.5 kΩ, while the electromagnetic energy harvester achieved 14.24 W maximum power under a 28 Ω load. A demonstration of the early warning of landslides and vehicle overweight warning is presented. This work contributes to the further optimization and practical application of self-powered health monitoring in traffic facilities.