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First Glow-In-the-Dark Road Debuts In Netherlands

Posted by samzenpus on from the shine-on dept.

An anonymous reader writes "A 500 meter (0.3 mile) stretch of road in the Netherlands has opened without the standard crop of streetlights lining its perimeter. The streetlights are believed to be unnecessary since the road markings were painted on with a mix of photo-luminescent powder, which absorbs sunlight during the day and radiates a portion of that energy back at night. Whether the modified road paint can withstand harsh weather or even provide sufficient lighting given insufficient exposure to sunlight during the day remains to be seen. The project was orchestrated by Studio Roosegaarde, which in the future plans to implement weather-sensitive road markings that would inform drivers when outside temperatures drop or rise above certain levels."

7 of 187 comments (clear)

  1. waitwhat by Johann+Lau · · Score: 5, Funny

    I started imagining this Route 66 of the future where technology jumps out of the computer screen and becomes part of us.

    You took too much, man...

  2. Useless by PPH · · Score: 5, Insightful

    We already have retroreflective paints. Road markings and signs illuminated by headlights are clearly visible. On the other hand, some things (like animals and pedestrians) require some means of illumination at night. Streetlights are OK, but headlights are better. An animal or other obstruction will only appear as a shadow against a glowing roadway.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
    1. Re:Useless by Travis+Mansbridge · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Yes, but today we are talking about driving.

  3. Video of the road by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Just found a video on dutch TV
    http://nos.nl/video/634091-eerste-autoweg-met-glowing-lines.html

  4. video of the road by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    there is a video of the road on dutch television. video of the road
    It does look quite nice!

  5. Re:wile e. coyote will love this by 91degrees · · Score: 5, Funny

    Thisis The Netherlands... I don't think they have rock faces. Or hills. Or topology generally.

  6. Re:Useless for Electricity shills by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bk4mNfMIEAAkefo.jpg

    I don't think it's actually in use yet. It's still being set up.