The successful use of Astucia's SolarLite solar-powered LED road studs toreduce accidents in South Africa is noted and the possibility of similar success in other parts of the world considered. A project undertaken by Norfolk County Council involving the A143 across Haddiscoe Marshes is briefly outlined. 22 accidents over a period of 3 years resulted from loss of control on a sinuous road across low lying marshes subject to damp and misty conditions. A number of remedies were employed including resurfacing and the installation of over 200 studs providing delineation of the centreline. In the first 2 years after the scheme was introduced there was an immediate improvement with only 5 recorded accidents all of which were slight, none in the dark and only one in wet conditions. It is suggested that although installation costs are high, the reduction in accident costs and a life span of 8-10 years make the studs an economic proposition.
Abstract