‘Glow roads’ planned in Australia after test success

The Australian state of New South Wales is planning to boost the number of so-called glow roads after a six-month trial showed that photoluminescent highways help prevent accidents.

The trial of the glow technology on a 200-metre stretch of the notorious Bulli Pass led to a 67% drop in night-time near misses, said a Transport for NSW official on Tuesday in Australia’s most populous state.

The road markings absorb and store sunlight during the day and emit it with a glow at night. The paint is also said to be suitable for bike paths, footpaths, landing strips, parking areas and spaces where lighting is limited.

The hilly Bulli Pass, some 75 kilometres south-east of Sydney, was chosen for its tricky descent and tight hairpin curve, after data showed 125 near misses in a 12-month period up to June 30, 2024.

Around 10% of the incidents occurred in the late evening or at night — nearly double the state average for regional roads.

The move in NSW comes after a similar trial in Victoria in 2022 was discontinued after officials decided there was insufficient road safety benefits to justify adding more glow lines to the state’s roads.

A previous trial in the Netherlands was reportedly discontinued after the paint’s brightness was dulled when wet.