A smart groove seal integrating a communication system within a groove seal used to seal expansion joints and grooves formed in pathways or roadways. One embodiment of the smart groove seal embeds one or more illumination sources that emits visible and/or infrared light into a clear elastomeric expansion joint seal. The communication system includes an expansion joint seal having a selectable array on one or more light sources (such as LEDs and/or OLEDs) positioned within the expansion joint seal, a power supply, and a controller. The smart groove seal enhances the lighting of lanes on vehicular and pedestrian roadways and/or provides vehicular or roadway information to vehicular operators.