Driver safety in the hours of darkness has long been an ongoing concern for network operators. In the UK, approximately 42% of road deaths occur in the hours of darkness whilst only 22% of traffic is on the road. Driver tiredness and poor road visibility are key contributors to this statistic whilst in a volatile post-covid economic climate mains powered street lighting is considered costly and inefficient. 

With a greater demand for sustainable smart infrastructure which encourages safer movement of people, this presentation explores the use of active road studs (studs which emit a light rather than reflect light from headlights) and the impact this type of guidance has on driver behaviour such as vehicle braking points, speed and vehicle positioning. We will explore the impact of lane transgressions at roundabouts/junctions and the impact active studs have on driver behaviour both before and after active road studs were installed. 

From an environmental perspective, active studs are typically powered using renewable energies and are seen as a carbon friendly, sustainable alternative to driver guidance by street lighting. We will explore the carbon cost of active road studs in comparison to street lighting. 

In 2022, UK local authorities recognised the impact of active road stud technology and the benefit to driver safety by awarding a technology ‘innovation award’ specifically for active road studs. This success has ventured throughout Europe where ‘active studs’ are seen as a sustainable solution to reduce night-time traffic collisions, even providing guidance for pedestrians and cyclists using footpaths and active travel networks.

During this presentation we will explore the impact on the use of active studs for different users of travel including impact on users of global road networks, active travel routes and how they have even been used as a safety feature at potential ‘collision’ points where pedestrians and traffic flow meet.