Solar road studs light-up revamped A38

Highways England contractors have installed more than 4,500 solar road studs as part of an £8.5m improvement to the A38 between Ripley and junction 28 of the M1 near Mansfield

The studs harness sunlight in the daytime and light up the road at night.

They are also effective in heavy rain, mist or fog and a four-hour charge from daylight can power the devices for over 200 hours.

Highways England project manager, Matthew Carruthers, said: “We’re always looking for new ways to further improve journeys and safety for drivers and this is a great example of that.

“This section of carriageway has no street lighting so the solar road studs and improved lane markings make a real difference.

“At the same time the new technology is more durable, meaning less disruption for motorists in the long term thanks to fewer roadworks.”

Standard road studs require car headlights to illuminate their reflective surface – typically this means that the headlights can be seen up to 90 metres away, giving drivers travelling at 60mph around three seconds to react to conditions on the road.

The solar road studs generate their own light through a battery powered LED and can be seen up to 900 metres away, giving drivers travelling at 60mph more than 30 seconds to react.

The new studs are also more durable, lasting up to five years longer than standard studs, require less maintenance during their lifetime and at only 4mm in height means are they safer for motorcycles.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/07/31/solar-road-studs-light-up-revamped-a38/

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