Images of glow-in-the-dark lane markings have gone viral this month and are fascinating to look at.
A road construction company based in Victoria, Australia has received some government funding to experiment with new road treatments. There is a one kilometer stretch of highway in the southeast of Victoria.
The effect is making a person feel uncomfortable. You can see the markings on the road at night. The road treatment is said to improve visibility of the markings, nearby signs, and more clearly show upcoming curves for drivers.
The coating absorbs light throughout the day and releases it during the night to give it a glowing effect.
The light should last most of the night after a sunny day, but they weren't sure how overcast weather would affect it. They should be glowing in the evening when deer come out of hiding and teeter around the roads.
We should probably gather more data before we roll it out more broadly.
Is it a sustainable option in terms of cost and the impact on the environment. We don't have a clue.
Is the glow-in-the-dark lane markings any more effective than the road already in place? The retro reflective technology on the lane lines shines back at drivers with the light they receive from their headlights.
If anything, glow-in-the-dark lanes will have a more niche application, perhaps on some dangerous stretches of road. It is possible to use it on pedestrian or bicycle paths since neither is likely to have a strong light source of their own.
We envy the chance of seeing this treatment in person, but you won't be using it very often.
Chinese researchers are testing cars that hover over the road using magnets.
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