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       Glow-in-the-dark costumes and glow sticks make trick-or-treating safer for kids on Halloween because they can be seen at night, and glow-in-the-dark road markings do the same by making it easier for drivers to see the road.
       According to Auto Evolution, anyone who has driven at night knows how difficult it can be to see road markings, especially in bad weather, when the paint has faded, or when the road has recently been repaired.
       In May 2022, the Australian state of Victoria began testing photoluminescent road markings — the same technology that makes toys and watches glow — with remarkable results, News.com reports. It’s part of a three-part innovation project by the Victorian Regional Roads Authority to improve road safety.
       ”This approach will allow drivers to see markings or signs better and provide greater clarity at intersections and turns, giving drivers more time to react and preventing them from drifting out of their lane,” Regional Roads says on its website.
       Glowing Roads According to News.com, Grippsland Tarmac Linemarking has used photoluminescent technology in trials to coat road markings at 70 locations, including a kilometre-long stretch of the Metong Road in Victoria. At night, the coating releases the light accumulated during the day to provide drivers with clear visibility. Although fog can affect the lifespan of the lights, the road remains bright during the dangerous twilight hours.
       “There’s been a lot of interest after testing, it’s a great product,” John Emanuelli of Tarmac Linemarking told News.com as photos of the technology on the company’s Facebook page went viral, shared more than 1,000 times. He added that the technology has other practical applications, including parking lots and boat ramps.
       Other safety improvements: Other road markings will have improved reflectivity, even if they do not have glow-in-the-dark elements, Auto Evolution reports. This is achieved by adding glass beads and thermoplastic to the road paint. This makes the markings more visible.
       The latest measure is the installation of LED blind lights at some pedestrian crossings. These blind lights are the same color as traffic lights and are meant to remind pedestrians to pay more attention, especially when many pedestrians are more focused on their smartphones than on the road.
       Regional road projects are certainly making progress towards making Victoria’s streets safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. This is a big step in the right direction.