The highways and transport solutions provider Clearview Intelligence has used its Solarlite solar-powered road studs solution in a new way to help drivers navigate roundabouts in Milton Keynes.
In the past, the studs have been used to help enhance delineation on roads where white lining and street lights need reinforcement, but in this case the studs were placed around the inside face of two roundabouts facing vehicles joining.
The studs were installed after a series of crashes where drivers had failed to realise they were approaching a junction and had ended up in the middle of the roundabout.
“This innovative use of our flagship Solarlite solar road studs followed conversations with Milton Keynes Council,” explained Head of Product Management, Alastair King. “We analysed data around the way drivers approached the roundabouts and realised many simply weren’t reacting to signs and other road markings at night, so needed another way of making the roundabouts visible.
“By putting the road studs around the inside face of the roundabout, we make sure it’s fully lit up at night and the line of lights in the road draws attention to drivers that the road is not simply continuing.”
The installation marks a new road safety application for the studs, which have been installed on all types of roads, from town and village centres to rural roads and motorways. The studs provide ten times better visibility than traditional reflective studs, illuminating of up to 900 metres. This significantly increases driver reaction times, delivers ten nights’ operation on three hours of bright daylight and gives drivers a clear indication of lanes and junctions in all weather, enhancing driver confidence.
Talking of the installations in Milton Keynes, Mr King commented: “If you look the image of one of the roundabouts on Google Maps taken before our road safety improvements, you actually see a vehicle which has crashed into the sign. Hopefully now the Solarlite studs are installed, we won’t be seeing any more incidents like that!”
The improved roundabouts in Milton Keynes are at South Overgate and Fishermead.
Watch a video of the installation here:
(Pictures – Clearview)
