One of NSW’s major truck routes is set to be the litmus test of a new road safety initiative, with glow in the dark line markings set to be drawn on Bulli Pass ahead of a potential widespread rollout.
The photoluminescent painted markings absorb and store sunlight during the day and glow at night, which enables drivers to better see line markings and the shape of the road in darkness.
The hairpin turn on Bulli Pass will be the first location in the state to be equipped with glow in the dark markings and was chosen after a spike in near-miss incidents between 9pm and 4am.
125 near misses were recorded in at the location between January and June this year.
Glow Roads are utilised in areas where street lighting is not a practical implementation, but added night-time visibility is required to improve road safety outcomes.
The trial will run for six months after which data and insights will be used to assess whether to extend the trial or implement the technology on other parts of the state’s road network.
Minister for Roads John Graham says the use of emerging technology is crucial to improving overall road safety outcomes.
“Line markings might not be the first thing we think about in terms of innovation, but this is a bright idea and we are excited to trial its benefits,” Graham says.
“Data shows around a third of fatal crashes in NSW happen at night. If this trial is deemed a success, we will look at its application on other locations with a history of crashes or near misses where added visibility is needed.
“Bulli Pass has had a rising number of near-misses – particularly at night – so using Glow Roads to improving driving conditions will help the thousands of motorists who rely on the busy route.”
The Glow Road line markings have undergone rigorous testing at the Transport for NSW Future Mobility Testing and Research Centre in Cudal to ensure they are suitable for Australian conditions.
Trucks, motorcycles, cars and bikes were used on a controlled course featuring the markings, with skid testing also undertaken to check the markings had the same level of slip resistance as current line markings.
“The Glow Roads is the brainchild of one of our transformation teams here at Transport who – trying to find a solution to boost safety at remote or isolated sites – pitched the idea at an in-house innovation challenge,” Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray says.
“Improving road safety is a massive priority for everyone at Transport for NSW, so we jumped on the opportunity to put this ‘bright idea’ to the test.
“Before rolling Glow Roads out on public roads we tested the new line markings and glow paint under a range of conditions at our Future Mobility testing site to make sure it was ready for the next phase of the trial.”
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