At the beginning of the year the Netherlands proposed to use photo-luminescent paint to mark out lanes and traffic markers on roads, in an effort to revolutionise the country's infrastructure and make roads safer.
The below video explains the futuristic roads that the Netherlands proposes to develop.
A company in the UK has taken this idea of using photo-luminescent paint on roads to the next step. Pro-Teq plans to spray an entire road in a coating that absorbs sunlight during the day then glows at night, lighting up the entire road and reducing the need to have street lamps, saving money and energy.
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The special coating, called Starpath, is waterproof; non-slip, improving the traction that cars can get on the road and thereby reducing accidents; non reflective, so drivers don't have to worry about being dazzled by glare from the headlights of oncoming drivers; and durable, meaning that it can last some time before needing to be reapplied.
 
The product, appropriately named Starlight, can light up roads and paths at night removing the need for street lamps. (theconstructionindex)
Treehugger reports that the technology is first being tested at the Christ's Pieces park in Cambridgeshire, where it has been applied to 1,600 square feet of walking paths throughout the park. Pro-Teq took just half an hour to apply their product to the paths, and after four hours of drying they were open to the public once more.
Neil Blackmore, the sales director at Pro-Teq, said that "our surface works best over tarmac or concrete, predominantly tarmac, which is the main bulk of the UK path network. When it's coming to the end of its useful life, we can rejuvenate it with our system, creating not only a practical, but a decorative finish."
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This video shows the process by which Pro-Teq engineers apply the coating to the paths, and explains a bit more about why the technology may prove popular.
Hamish Scott, the owner of Pro-Teq, said that "there is nothing like STARPATH in the world, this product adjusts to the natural light, so if it is pitch black outside the luminous natural earth enhances, and if the sky is lighter, it won't release as much luminosity - it adjusts accordingly, it's almost like it has a mind of its own. It is exceptional."
By. James Burgess of Oilprice.com
James Burgess studied Business Management at the University of Nottingham. He has worked in property development, chartered surveying, marketing, law, and accounts. He has also… More