Innovative Road Safety: Australia Trials Luminescent Road Markings
Australia is currently experimenting with an innovative road safety solution. They are in the process of testing luminescent road markings inspired by the glow-in-the-dark properties found in children’s stickers and toys.
Anyone who has driven at night knows the struggle of barely visible road markings, which become even more challenging to follow when the paint has faded or the road has been recently resurfaced. To address this issue, Australia is piloting the use of glow-in-the-dark road lines.
In essence, this initiative involves painting road markings with photoluminescent paint, similar to the material used to make tactical watch hands light up in the dark. These specially treated road markings are being applied to selected roads in the state of Victoria, with a price tag of AUD $4 million (USD $2.82 million), funded by taxpayers.
The primary objective of these glow-in-the-dark lines is to enhance driver safety during nighttime travel. They are expected to assist drivers in staying within their lanes and navigating curves and intersections, which can be especially challenging for those unfamiliar with the area.
These luminescent road lines are just one part of a broader road safety improvement plan known as the state’s ‘Innovation Package,’ introduced by Tarmac Linemarking. Another aspect of this plan involves enhancing road markings with higher reflectivity by incorporating thicker glass beads and thermoplastic into the paint. While this approach doesn’t make the markings glow, it does improve their visibility when illuminated by car headlights.
The third measure within this safety package introduces LED tactile paving at controlled pedestrian crossings. These LEDs are synchronized with traffic lights’ colors to provide added visibility to pedestrians, who are often distracted by their smartphones and tend to look down rather than at oncoming traffic.
Despite their potential benefits, the glow-in-the-dark road lines have faced criticism on several fronts. Some concerns revolve around the maintenance costs, as the luminescent paint may require frequent refreshing. There are also worries about the paint containing hazardous, radioactive materials. Furthermore, there’s a concern that drivers might be tempted to turn off their headlights to experience the visual effect, potentially compromising safety.
