The Benefits of Solar Road Markers: How They Can Enhance Road Safety
- sladmin
- February 01 2023
According to a report outlining Australian car accident statistics and causes, this has been the largest increase in road incidents since 2018.
With thousands of families being affected by Australia’s worsening road toll, it is only natural to channel efforts into increasing road safety. One of the best ways to reduce the frequency of road accidents is to communicate better with drivers and pedestrians–an aspect that is easily and efficiently accomplished through road signs and pavement markings.
But what happens when it's too dark (in tunnels, for instance) or when elements like rain or fog affect visibility? This is where solar road markers come to our rescue.
Unsure of how solar road markers can enhance road safety? Let’s take a look.
What Are Solar Road Markers?
Simply put, solar road markers are road stud lights that work on solar energy. They are also called reflectors or cat’s eyes. Their primary function is to provide road users with information, such as when to speed up or slow down, and the placement of lane lines. They can also be used to separate traffic on single-carriageway two-way roads without physical dividers and to inform emergency personnel of the position of fire hydrants or other water-related supply lines.
Do Solar Road Markers Really Enhance Road Safety?
The simple, resounding answer would be, yes. Absolutely!
When road markings can be seen clearly, despite low visibility situations, pedestrians and vehicle drivers are safer as they can see information that helps them understand what actions they should or shouldn’t be taking.
Till about 10-15 years ago, road users relied heavily on streetlights and floodlights to help them see road markings. However, with recent advancements in lighting technology, reflective lighting, including solar road markers have become a preferred method of communication. Whether used on or in conjunction with painted lane and road markings, arrows, kerb lines, raised pavement markers, rumble strips, directional and facility markings, traffic islands, median strips, etc. solar road markers reduce the risk of confusion and boost safety for all road users.
What Are the Other Benefits of Solar Road Markers?
While the foremost benefit of using solar road markers is better visibility, there are other advantages as well. Here’s a closer look at some of the merits of using solar lights for signs.
Reduction in Light Pollution
Agreeably, streetlights do their job of illuminating roads. However, there are several downsides to conventional street lighting. Take, for instance, the amount of light that reaches the roadways. Studies have shown that as much as 70% of roadway lighting is wasted as it cannot be efficiently directed. Conventional street lighting, thus, contributes significantly to light pollution. Solar lights for signs and road markers, on the other hand, can be positioned more appropriately, thus limiting unnecessary light pollution.
Lower Maintenance
Traditional street lighting is high maintenance as it requires electric cable connectivity. They’re also entirely dependent on power grids–any cuts or failure will result in drivers navigating roadways in the dark. Solar road markers, on the other hand, are off-grid and require no electric cable connectivity. As they’re easier to install and don’t require cabling, pole installation and trenching, solar lights for signs and road markers are low maintenance. They’re also highly sustainable.
Self-sufficient
Since solar power is harnessed to illuminate road markings and signs, electricity expense is eliminated. Considering how many hundreds of thousands of kilometres of roadways we currently have, the extensive use of solar road markers means tremendous savings in electricity.
Conclusion
Cleaner, greener, and more reliable than conventional lighting and their easy positioning and installation make solar road markers an innovative solution for enhancing road safety. The best part? They aren’t only used for roadways. You can use solar lights for signs and road markers anywhere–from pedestrian sidewalks to decks, docks and crosswalks to private roads and even warehouses.
So if you’re in search of lighting solutions, check out this range of solar road markers. Visible over 800 metres, and made from cast aluminium and polycarbonate construction, these extra-durable solar road markers will help you increase safety at your site, private road, warehouse or anywhere else you require.
Solar-powered technology has already revolutionised the way we generate and use energy. Not only do solar-powered systems provide a clean, sustainable, and cost-effective source of energy, they do so for a wide range of applications. One such application is the use of solar lights for signs, especially road markers, also known as solar road studs or solar pavement markers.
Ready to learn more about how solar-powered technology can better road safety?
Can Solar Technology Be Used for Road Markers?
Did you know that the smallest solar panel is the size of your thumbnail? That’s right.
Solar panels don’t just come in the size you see on your roof or the lights on the streets. Since it is possible to design solar panels that can fit a gadget that measures 15cm by 12cm, solar technology can be used for road markers.
Wondering why we need solar-powered technology for road markers?
Traditional Road Markers vs Solar Road Markers
Road markers, also known as road reflectors or raised pavement markers, are used to enhance the visibility of roads at night and in inclement weather. They are typically made of reflective material and are placed on the road surface to guide drivers and alert them to potential hazards.
Pre-solar technology, different materials were used to provide driving aids on roads. Depending on their placement, road authorities would use either paint, reflective tape, or raised markers with and without retroreflecting lenses. Over time, road markers come equipped with flashing lights and batteries. While their construction material differs, these driving aids serve one purpose–to guide drivers and alert them to potential hazards.
Solar road markers are similar to cat’s eyes, the difference being their capacity to harness the sun’s power. A solar road stud typically has an aluminium body with slots to attach it to the ground. The solar panel rests directly under the heavy-duty top face. Reflectors and LED lights are placed on the sides. Their functioning is simple–during the day, the solar panel helps make solar energy, which is then stored in the supercapacitor. Once the road marker no longer sense any sunlight, the LEDS switch on.
Traditional road markers have a variety of limitations. Whether paint or reflective tape type, they need regular maintenance and replacement, which can be costly and time-consuming. Similarly, electrical road markers need to be powered by batteries or the electrical grid–power sources that have several limitations–batteries need to be replaced approximately every three years or in rural areas, connecting road markers to the electrical grid can be difficult and expensive.
Solar-powered road markers, however, are powered by the sun. They need neither electrical grid connectivity nor batteries. The supercapacitors used in solar road markers only need replacement every 8-10 years, reducing the long-term running cost of solar road markers.
Read on to learn why solar-powered road markers are a viable alternative to their traditional counterparts.
Benefits of Solar Road Markers
One of the key benefits of solar lights for signs and road markers is that they are highly reliable. Solar road markers can work for years without needing maintenance, and they are not affected by power outages or other issues that can disrupt traditional road markers. They are especially useful in remote areas or where traditional road markers are impractical, such as on bridges or in tunnels as they don’t require any additional infrastructure. Solar-powered road markers are also environmentally friendly, as they do not produce emissions or pollutants.
Solar road markers are also versatile and can be used in a variety of applications, ranging from highways, rural roads, and even on private property, such as in parking lots or industrial parks. They can also be customised to meet specific needs, such as using different colours or flashing patterns for different types of roads or hazards.
Conclusion
Overall, using solar lights for signs is a reliable, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective alternative to traditional lights. Solar road markers also have the potential to improve safety on roads and extend this safety to remote or rural areas. As they are a prime example of how solar technology can be used to improve our daily lives, continuous improvement in technology and a decrease in costs will hopefully result in the widespread use of solar-powered road markers.
There are lots of occasions where an environment clearly defines what type of solar light you would use. For example, in a carpark, commercial solar street lights would perform best and provide the most suitable amount of illumination, while on pedestrian pathways in residential environments, overhead lighting would be overkill and commercial solar bollards would be suitable
There are lighting projects though, where either commercial solar street lights or commercial solar lighting bollards would be suitable, so how do you decide which to use?The first thing you might assume is that solar powered street lights would be a more expensive option, so price would be a major factor in the decision, though this isn’t always the case. For example, if you have a 40 metre long pedestrian pathway, you could either install six commercial solar lighting bollards or two commercial solar street lights on 4 metre columns. Both options would provide an adequate amount of light at a very similar price point. So, if price isn’t a major factor is the decision-making process, then what other considerations are important?
1. Aesthetics – What product best suits the look of the surrounding environment?
Some people prefer the strong commercial look of solar street lights, though in areas such as public parks, the tall lighting columns will distract from the natural landscape, so solar bollard lights may be more suited.
2. Lighting Tone – Would you prefer warm or cool tones?
One major benefit to our commercial solar bollards range is the option to choose a warm, daylight or cool tone for the light. While any of our solar street lights will have a higher lumen output compared to our solar bollard lights, they will only output a cool white light, which isn’t always the preference for our clients.
There isn’t always a right or wrong option when choosing commercial solar lights; sometimes it’s simply down to the preference of the client. Above are just some simple considerations to consider when deciding between solar bollard lights or and solar street lights.
To learn more about our solar street lights or commercial solar bollards, or any other of the solar lights that we sell in Australia, visit the products online or give us a call at 1300 76 52 65.
While there are obvious aesthetic and safety benefits to outdoor commercial solar lights, as well as economic benefits when compared to AC powered lighting alternatives, a readily overlooked benefit is one of home security. Significant study has gone into the effects of residential and street lighting on criminal behaviour, and results have shown that robbery is significantly reduced through increased ambient lighting around the home. “The assumed anonymity from darkness promotes moral transgressions; darkness also impairs vision and hence reduces the ability to detect an approaching robber and subsequently identify them” (Fotios, Robbins and Farrall, 2021). Due to this, solar lighting bollards and solar floodlights have the benefit of acting as solar security lights, deterring criminals from breaking into your property.
To learn more about solar bollard lights, solar floodlights, or any other of the solar lights that we sell in Australia, visit the products online or give us a call at 1300 76 52 65.