Astucia SolarLite LED studs light up highways after dark

A number of UK roads are lookin' a lot brighter now, and it's all thanks to the SolarLite smart stud. Produced and marketed by Astucia, these active markers trump the traditional passive reflectors by storing up solar energy all day and then emitting light from dust 'til dawn in order to improve visibility from around 90-meters to 900-meters. The LED-based units reportedly extend driver reaction time from 3.2-seconds to over half a minute when cruising at 60mph, have an expected lifespan of eight to ten years and are said to have reduced night time accidents in certain areas by over 70-percent. Unfortunately, we've no idea when (or if) these things will show up on roads in other nations, but this would sure beat toggling one's brights off and on to get a better look ahead while simultaneously infuriating oncoming motorists.

[Via Autoblog]

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 23rd 2007 8:33AM]

We've had these in Australia for some time now, around the motorways and near school crossings. The also put them in speed humps, so that you can see them from a considerable distance when approaching them in low light.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 26th 2007 6:07PM]

I wrote the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), and received this very professional and detailed response from one one of their engineers about Astucia's older model SRPMs:

"ODOT has just recently finished a research project on solar powered raised pavement markers (SRPMs). The report has not yet been published, so I will give you a brief summary of the research, the results, and the conclusions. The SRPM model mentioned in the link you provided was NOT tested as part of our research, however we did test a different SRPM
model from the same manufacturer, Astucia.

The objective of the report was to determine if SRPMs would be more visible than standard retroreflective markers in some situations and could perform effectively in all seasons. Extensive testing was done on several different brands and types of SRPMs, which included
measurements, environmental tests (extreme high and low temperatures, immersion), Optical performance (subjective visual testing, as well as laboratory optical testing). We also sent the SRPMs to FHWA for additional laboratory optical testing.

The research concluded that none of the markers tested by FHWA met ODOT's retroreflectivity standards and the output of the LEDs was not sufficient to compensate for the low retroreflectivity values recorded. Other tests we conducted revealed concerns about durability, chromaticity, and the response to changes in light level (i.e. some
markers went on or off prematurely, or in one case, when exposed to headlights).

Based on the research, we have some performance concerns and do not recommend SRPMs be used on Oregon Highways in place of standard retroreflective raised pavement markers. However, we will continue to evaluate new/improved SRPMs in the future. If the newer generation of
SRPMs can meet our minimum requirements, they may become an option to use on our highways."


Hopefully this newer generation that was just released this month fixes the issues ODOT encountered.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 27th 2007 9:56PM]

congrats engadget you've done it again.. you ripped off a story and had someone else rip off your rip off.. yes it makes sense damn it..

from the u.k.'s newspress website to engadget to:

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/ecogeek/184/solar-led-road-studs-reduce-accidents-by-70.html

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 27th 2007 10:16PM]

I agree that it would be great to see them insalled in roads in the US,I spent 3 years in the UK and just the reflective bumps are extremly helpfull when trying to stay on the road in dense fog.

[ScottishDan Posted Dec 21st 2007 12:19PM]

Seen these on a few roads here in the UK. They do an impressive job.
The ones on the M8 also twinkle when the temperature goes below freezing to indicate that drivers should take extra care