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       Drivers on Dutch roads can now navigate using glow-in-the-dark road markings. The concept is being tested on the N329 in Oss as part of a “smart motorway” project by architecture firm Heijmans and design firm Studio Roosegaarde. The glow-in-the-dark markings are intended to improve visibility and safety.
       The idea for the Luminous Line and the wider Smart Motorway project was conceived by Heymans and Studio Roosegaarde in 2012. The name Smart Motorway is a bit misleading, as none of the concepts it covers involve internet connectivity, but they are certainly smart. The aim of the project is to use various technologies to create “interactive and sustainable roads of the future.”
       Glowing Lines uses glow-in-the-dark paint that uses solar energy to charge during the day and glows for up to 10 hours after dark. This means the road markings are more visible than road markings using standard paint, without requiring electricity.
       The concept itself was developed over several iterations and tested for robustness and user experience. Therefore, the Oss pilot project primarily aims to provide information on how it functions on a day-to-day basis in a real environment.
       As mentioned above, there are many other concepts in the area of ​​smart highways that have yet to be tested. Dynamic pavements involve the use of temperature-sensitive pavements on roads to provide environmental information. For example, if the weather is very cold, the normally transparent pavement will become visible and display a warning message.
       Interactive lighting is designed to detect the position of a vehicle on the road and then illuminate only the areas of the road around and in front of the vehicle. The aim is to reduce energy consumption by dimming the lighting on empty roads. Meanwhile, Induction Priority Lane offers a lane with electric vehicle charging technology built under the road surface, while Wind Light involves installing turbines on the side of the road to generate electricity from wind energy generated by passing vehicles for lighting.