Dutch pioneering glow in the dark roads

[Stuart]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27021291

The Dutch have painted a stretch of road with what's apparently called "photoluminescant paint". This basically means it absorbs sunlight during the day, to recharge, then glows green all night.

They are also developing paints that react to different temperatures, and are talking about painting large snowflakes on the road that appear when the temperature dips below -5 degrees C, a smaller snowflake that appears at 0 degrees C and a sun that appears at 20 degrees C.

TBH, while the BBC seem to be saying it's a great thing, I don't really see the advantage over existing technology.

The green lines don't really seem to offer any advantage over cat's eyes, although I suppose they would be quicker and cheaper to install as well as possibly cheaper to maintain.

The shapes on the tarmac don't (IMO) have any real use as most modern vehicles have external temperature sensors now, the shapes may not be visible through thick ice and finally, even when they are visible they could be a dangerous distraction for drivers.

[qasdfdsaq]

Cat's eyes also only work when you're shining light at them, the advantage of the lines is you can see them at any angle with or without your own light, and you can see them for an unlimited distance rather than just where your headlights are pointing. Very beneficial for cyclists too.

And yes, lots cheaper and easier to maintain, more reliable, less susceptible to dirt and damage, etc.

They do say it's to replace streetlights though, not cat's eyes. That's... odd.

[techguyone]

Not really, they're trying to save power (i'm not agreeing with plunging the world into darkness) but energy consumption seems to be an ever increasing issue. Cat's eyes & luminous lines don't require power to them.