Eastern Victoria is testing glow-in-the-dark roads as a novel approach to enhancing traffic safety while also safeguarding wildlife. Together with VicRoads, OmniGrip Direct, and Tarmac Linemarking, these roads were built. They are marked with photoluminescent lines, which absorb light during the day and release stored light at night. To ensure driver visibility even when there is insufficient lighting, the goal is to illuminate roads independently of street lighting.
On gloomy days, these glow-in-the-dark roads might look dull, but the line markings, like regular road markings, are still discernible to the general public thanks to their reflecting white base. The Department of Transportation’s $457 million Victorian Government Road Safety Program includes this project. The aim is to assess the value and advantages of these markings in enhancing road safety.
Road Safety is Being Highlighted.
John Emanuelli, operations manager at Tarmac Linemarking, believes that glow-in-the-dark roads have the potential to improve road safety in a variety of settings. He names the Omeo Highway, Mitta Mitta, the Great Alpine Road, and the road to Falls Creek as locations that could profit from this technology.
Similar studies have been conducted all over the world, including one in 2014 on a highway southeast of Amsterdam that was painted with photoluminescent powder. But during the rains, a few anomalies were noticed. In general, the technology has proven to be advantageous, leading to a growing interest in using it for a variety of applications and receiving estimates from all over the world.
A Creative Approach for Rural Roads.
Given the recent 30% increase in auto accidents in the region, glow-in-the-dark roads can be especially helpful for rural Victorian roads. Long Truong, a specialist in civil engineering at La Trobe University, believes that photoluminescent markings can significantly improve visibility, particularly on highways with complicated alignments, directional changes, and tight curves. By removing the need for new infrastructure, such as road lighting, Truong highlights the cost-effectiveness of the solution.
For the benefit of wildlife, Lisa Palma, chief executive officer of Wildlife Victoria, emphasizes the need to lessen light pollution. She makes note of the ways that too much light can mess with nocturnal species’ nocturnal predator exposure, breeding cycles, and bird migration patterns.
Since they eliminate the need for lighting on long-distance and rural routes, glow-in-the-dark roads are crucial for reducing light pollution. To learn more about the advantages of this technology, trials are currently being conducted at places like Whittlesea-Kinglake Road and the Bendigo Creek Trail.
By implementing glow-in-the-dark roads, we can improve road safety while preserving wildlife habitats. Ongoing tests and evaluations will decide whether this new approach is successful in the long run.
