Red Light for Red Spots

This article describes how a provincial department of transport in South Africa is using bi-directional, solar-powered light studs embedded in pavement to prevent accidents. South Africa has the fourth highest road accident death rate in Africa. The article describes a two-year pilot project along the regional road R66 north of the city of Durban, a winding road mountains with a high accident rate. Some 20,000 intelligent road studs (IRS) for low-light lane delineation have been installed. Motorists in their own lane see only white light, but if they cross over into the oncoming lane they see red lights. Less expensive than street lighting, the solar-powered light studs also provide visibility of up to one kilometer. In addition, they eliminate the need for use of high beams. The accident rate has fallen substantially. A short accompanying article describes how the same provincial DOT is considering the use of advanced road stud technology to keep animals off the roadway, an attempt to prevent the loss of human and animal lives.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/35183091
• Authors:
  • Crawford, David
• Publication Date: 2005-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Illustrations; Photos;
• Pagination: pp 53-54
• Serial:
  • ITS International
  • Volume: 11
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Route One Publishing Limited
  • ISSN: 1463-6344
  • Serial URL: http://www.itsinternational.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Edge detection; Fatalities; Lane lines; Raised road markings; Safety engineering; Solar energy; Traffic safety
• Geographic Terms: South Africa
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01020449
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 23 2006 8:36AM