The R&D team at the East Japan Railway, in collaboration with Keio University, is testing a new system where passenger traffic in the station will be transformed into electricity as a supplementary power source for the station.

The subway turnstiles will be fitted with panels under the floors with a series of piezo electric generators. When a passenger steps through the turnstile, the pressure and vibration of the step will set up a reaction that produces electricity.

Currently, the system is being tested in reception area of the main office building of the JR-East in Tokyo. Each time a visitor passes through, a light bulb illuminates to show that electricity has been generated.

If this system proves to be successful, it would be an ideal model for clean energy production for mass transit associations around the world.