Glow-in-the-dark roads are being trialled in eastern Victoria and experts believe the technology could improve road safety.
In May, photoluminescent markings were installed along a 700m stretch of Metung Road by Bairnsdale-based Tarmac Linemarking in partnership with OmniGrip Direct and VicRoads.
The markings are designed to illuminate roads with bends, intersections, or without street lighting. They also collect sunlight and emit stored light after dark.
When the sky is overcast, the illumination is weaker, but the marking is still visible thanks to its white reflective base, just like standard road markings.
The project is part of the Victorian Government’s $457 million Road Safety Program, run by the Department for Transport, which will assess the value of the signs in terms of both cost and road safety.
Advantages of remote roads
John Emanuelli, operations manager for Tarmac Linemarking, said the markings would be particularly useful on isolated roads.
“I think the Great Alpine Road, there are certain places on it that could be used, your way to Falls Creek, Mitta Mitta, Omeo Highway,” he said.
International testing of similar projects has been carried out; for example, photoluminescent powder was applied to sections of road located 100 kilometers southeast of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
The 2014 trial drew criticism for the markers’ susceptibility to fluctuations in light and rain, but Mr Emanuelli claimed conditions at Metunga were different.
“I’ve been back several times in different weather conditions to see how it wears and how it shines, and it works pretty well,” he said.
According to Mr Emanuelli, the signs would be beneficial to both boat ramp users and pedestrians and could be used for a number of purposes.
“A lot of people have asked for bids on different applications for different kinds of things,” he said.
“We’ve had discussions with most of the counties in the area about getting it moving.”
high tolls on the road
There has been a 30 percent increase in the number of fatalities on rural Victorian roads this year compared to 2021.
Cars running off the road were the cause of 46% of these deaths.
Photoluminescent road markings would increase visibility and make it easier for cars to stay in their lanes, according to La Trobe University civil engineering specialist Long Truong.
“In certain scenarios, such as those involving complex road layouts, directional shifts, sharp turns, and similar circumstances, I think the technology could improve traffic safety,” said Dr. Truong.
Because we don’t need to install the actual road lighting infrastructure, I’d say it’s a cost-effective solution if we can identify a key location where it can have the biggest impact.”
According to Lisa Palma, alternatives to artificial street lighting should be explored to protect wildlife from light pollution.
help animals
As road signs on rural and remote routes can eliminate the need for lighting, light pollution could also be reduced.
Lisa Palma, chief executive of Wildlife Victoria, claimed artificial lighting was harming wildlife.
“It can affect the breeding cycles of nocturnal animals, expose them to predators, affect the patterns of migratory birds, and ultimately affect the species in the long term,” the spokesperson said.
“While it’s important to have extremely safe roads, we also want to make sure that wildlife can go about their daily lives without being negatively affected by light pollution or endangering themselves or other drivers.”
The technology is being tested at two other locations. This is part of the Bendigo Creek Trail and Whittlesea-Kinglake Road where 1.8km of line marking has been placed on the shared user path.
The implementation of glow-in-the-dark road markings in eastern Victoria represents a significant step forward in improving road safety, particularly on remote and challenging routes. This innovative technology, which absorbs sunlight and emits stored light at night, aims to improve visibility for drivers, especially in areas without street lighting or with complex road layouts. By reducing the need for traditional infrastructure, these photoluminescent markings offer a cost-effective solution that could prevent accidents, especially those caused by vehicles running off the road.
The potential benefits go beyond human safety. As Wildlife Victoria’s Lisa Palma points out, minimizing light pollution is essential to wildlife conservation. Glow-in-the-dark road markings could serve as an alternative to artificial street lighting, reducing disturbance to nocturnal animals and their habitats. This dual benefit of increasing human safety while protecting wildlife underlines the importance of exploring sustainable road safety technologies.
While the technology is still in the testing phase, early results are promising. With further evaluation and potential expansion to other locations, this innovation could become a key element in road safety programs, not only in Victoria but in other regions facing similar challenges. The success of the study could pave the way for wider adoption and help create safer and greener roads.