Hi, I've just joined the IET site so excuse me if there is already a topic out there on this but I could really use some considered feedback. I'm currently exploring whether or not road surfaces can be made to do more than they do at the moment..maybe through 'intelligent road markings' etc. I know there are schemes which employ, for instance, colour variants in cats-eyes to denote motorway lanes and junctions but these are 'physical' elements and I'm more interested in 'dynamic' solutions.

Can anyone point me at any research, companies etc. that are involved in this area? Does anyone have any thoughts and opinions on it? Is it an interesting area or should I just go and put my feet up and have a cup of tea?

I'd really appreciate some input on this.

Thanks for your time.

Paul

I remember years ago on tomorrows world (wish they would bring that programme back) There was an invention shown, It was a type of white paint that when applyed to the road looked three dimentional from certain distances. It was not approved by the department of transport

Thanks Arthur....I'll follow that up if I can.

In France, TPTB wanted something that would allow road markings to be still visible under a few mm of rain. Slots were cut in the circumference of the applicator wheel so that the paint would stand proud of the line and thus pierce the laye of water. In practice, it was found that this also has the benefit of making a loud noise whenever the vehicle strays over the line. The technique is now used for this reason more than the original one since it wakes up a slumbering driver on the open highway.

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Mike Wrigley
Past Chairman, French Network

Paul

Have you explored solar powered road studs?
There are several companys in the UK that produce solar powered road stubs. 10 years ago, I was involved in trialing of roads studs from Clearview Traffic Group and Reflecto.

Peter

Paul,

If you are interested in reading an anti-thesis to road markings have a look online for a scandinavian city/town that decided to remove all road markings and traffic management systems. They found that with no 'guides' drivers were forced to pay more attention and road traffic accidents decreased dramatically.

Its a very interesting trial, although i'm sure the councils within the UK have a political agenda for not adopting this policy i.e. the local road maintenance budget would be slashed.

Dave