As the sun sets on the Australian horizon, a new dawn of road safety is emerging.

A state is set to illuminate the path to safer night-time driving with an innovative trial that could revolutionise how we navigate our roads after dark.

This groundbreaking initiative addresses the growing concerns around visibility and accidents during nighttime hours, offering a potential blueprint for other regions to follow.

This week, drivers traversing the Bulli Pass, a stretch of highway notorious for its dangerous conditions, witnessed a change designed to combat the alarming rate of near-misses that have plagued the area.

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has implemented glow-in-the-dark road lines, a cutting-edge solution to enhance motorists' visibility in low-light situations.

Glow-in-the-dark road lines are being trialled by Transport for NSW to improve safety and visibility at night. Credit: Transport for New South Wales

The photoluminescent painted markings, which absorb sunlight during the day and emit a luminous glow at night, are a novelty and a beacon of hope for improving driver safety.

‘The trial is set to begin Thursday, with installation taking place today and tomorrow during a planned closure for maintenance,’ a spokesperson said.

‘The markings will be around 200 metres long, around a sharp hairpin.’

The trial responds to the 125 near-accidents recorded in the year leading up to 30 June.

These glowing lines have been installed around a sharp hairpin bend on the Bulli Pass, frequented by large trucks and motorcycles.

This critical point requires increased awareness, and the trial also included a glow sign to alert drivers to the impending curve further.

This initiative has precedent. Victoria embarked on a similar journey in 2022, experimenting with fluorescent line markings along a 1km section of Metong Road.

However, the trial was discontinued after an independent evaluation concluded that the road safety benefits did not justify the costs of the $4 million scheme.

Despite Victoria's decision to halt the project, NSW remains hopeful.

With around a third of fatal crashes in the state occurring at night, the potential for glow-in-the-dark technology to save lives is significant.

NSW's Minister for Roads, John Graham, has expressed his enthusiasm for the trial, emphasising the importance of discerning the road's shape for safe driving.

If the trial proves successful, it could pave the way for a broader implementation of Glow Road technology across the state, particularly in locations with a history of crashes or near-misses where better visibility is crucial.

As we await the results of this six-month trial, Aussie drivers need to stay informed and adapt to the changes on our roads.

The glowing lines are a step towards a brighter future for road safety, but it's up to us to remain vigilant and drive responsibly, especially during the night.

Key Takeaways

• Transport for NSW (TfNSW) is trialling glow-in-the-dark road lines along a dangerous highway to increase driver safety and visibility at night.
• Before considering a wider rollout, The photoluminescent markings will be assessed for six months at Bulli Pass, south of Sydney.
• The trial area has been chosen due to many near-misses, with 125 recorded in the past year.
• While Victoria discontinued a similar trial due to insufficient road safety benefits, NSW authorities are optimistic and will determine its success based on data and customer insights.

Do you think glow-in-the-dark road lines will improve safety? Would you support more trials for better night-time visibility? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.

 

[Gaena]

While the glow of the road markings will increase visibility what about a safety campaign to teach drivers to understand the difference between standard and high beam car headlights and when it is safe to use them, the constant battle between uneducated (could not give a toss about you) drivers and eye searing led headlights has stopped me from driving at night, lord help me if I have to, its almost impossible to see, especially on rural roads I swear some drivers wait until they can see the whites of your eyes before dipping their lights.

 

[Sherza]

While the glow of the road markings will increase visibility what about a safety campaign to teach drivers to understand the difference between standard and high beam car headlights and when it is safe to use them, the constant battle between uneducated (could not give a toss about you) drivers and eye searing led headlights has stopped me from driving at night, lord help me if I have to, its almost impossible to see, especially on rural roads I swear some drivers wait until they can see the whites of your eyes before dipping their lights.

They also need to get them checked to ensure they’re at the correct level. A lo are running around with them dipped, but because they aren’t adjusted to the correct angle, they’re hitting other drivers in the eyes and blinding them.
i often wonder how many single vehicle accidents are in fact caused by this

 

[novezar]

The concept looks pretty good to me. Just hope it helps everyone who travels on the pass.

 

[Koda]

Excellent idea all roads should be marked this way especially county highways as you can’t always use high beam. I vote for Australia wide

 

[BabsL]

Absolutely! I’d also be delighted if our Country Trains had two Reflective or Luminous stripes painted horizontally onto each carriage and the engine to make them better visible at night time and low light. This wld make them so much more visible at dusk, at night, when flickering between lines of trees approaching country crossings.

 

[GrannyJA!]

I certainly hope something is happening to improve conditions, especially on Bulli Pass. The last accident there was not a 'near miss'. A truck driver died only days ago.

 

[BillyB]

If using solar road markings why not a few solar light poles.

 

[Zemo]

WOW! Four million bucks to paint some lines on a one-kilometre stretch of road. Where can I get a job like that? Next, I suppose the greenies will be out in force reckoning that the kind of paint used is harmful to the eight-eyed red-backed travelling ant ...

 

[Mikeyboy2012]

It's probably a good idea. Though we've had reflective line markers for decades. These fluorescent lines would be less "bumpy", which is a safety feature, to stop you inadvertently crossing into another lane.

In Queensland on motorways, as you approach an off-ramp, there are green reflective markers, on the left lane, to help you more easily judge your turnoff timing. These should be in every state.

 

[Mr Chips]

Brilliant idea. That road is several klms of windy, twisty, and undulating sections, difficult to negotiate during the day let alone night time. Hope they decide to apply it to the total length of that road.

 

[Zemo]

Brilliant idea. That road is several klms of windy, twisty, and undulating sections, difficult to negotiate during the day let alone night time. Hope they decide to apply it to the total length of that road.

Although, at the going rate that marked the original cost to do the same thing on a four-kilometre stretch of road, you'd exceed the total Australian yearly financial budget. And then where would the pollies get their retirement payouts from?

 

[Reet]

While the glow of the road markings will increase visibility what about a safety campaign to teach drivers to understand the difference between standard and high beam car headlights and when it is safe to use them, the constant battle between uneducated (could not give a toss about you) drivers and eye searing led headlights has stopped me from driving at night, lord help me if I have to, its almost impossible to see, especially on rural roads I swear some drivers wait until they can see the whites of your eyes before dipping their lights.

Some drivers do not even dip their lights. If this happens to me I usually flash my high beams to let them know I don't like it!

 

[Reet]

Although, at the going rate that marked the original cost to do the same thing on a four-kilometre stretch of road, you'd exceed the total Australian yearly financial budget. And then where would the pollies get their retirement payouts from?

I think there should be a review of Pollies retirement pay-outs. OK I wouldn't like their job but we have to pay taxes to get a retirement pension and when we leave work it does not automatically carry on as a benefit. Why do Pollies, particularly those who have only served one term, have such great retirement funds and are still allowed to work and earn even more money!!

 

[Gaena]

Some drivers do not even dip their lights. If this happens to me I usually flash my high beams to let them know I don't like it!

I have made the mistake of of flashing my lights before only to then be blinded by the a hole driver when he flashed back with a full array of led lights all over their damn car I guess he was saying if you think that was high beam try this

 

[Zemo]

Although, at the going rate that marked the original cost to do the same thing on a four-kilometre stretch of road, you'd exceed the total Australian yearly financial budget. And then where would the pollies get their retirement payouts from?

I know where they'd get their money from: the twice-a-year extortion on alcohol, surely the greatest way ever invented to bring in the moolah for doing nothing.

 

[Jan Purcell]

And how about fixing all the big potholes, there even on the freeways, so dangerous especially at night, you just can't beat the old Roman road that were built centuries ago in the UK no technology back then, these days they just don't know how to build roads, they fill the pot holes with muck and no wonder they don't last. If a driver damages their car by hitting a pot hole then it should be Vic roads to pay for the damage.

 

[Macarj]

Cars have lights, the problem is drivers can't stay in their own lane either on a bend or a straight road I don't think this will make any difference ( people can't drive)

 

[Revhead61]

What a simply amazing solution to a serious problem.
Roll this out across the country now.
I can't see any reason you would need a trial for this. It will obviously make night driving far safer.
It's not like we aren't paying enough in road associated taxes now is it?

 

[Mr Chips]

Although, at the going rate that marked the original cost to do the same thing on a four-kilometre stretch of road, you'd exceed the total Australian yearly financial budget. And then where would the pollies get their retirement payouts from?

They already have teams of workers who do nothing but paint roadmarkings so why not just change the paint? The effective cost is nothing!