Australia Expands Glow Roads to Cut Crashes

The Australian state of New South Wales is set to expand the number of glow-in-the-dark roads after a six-month trial showed a significant reduction in nighttime collisions.

According to an official from Transport for NSW, the trial of the glowing road technology on a 200-meter stretch of the well-known Bulli Pass resulted in a 67 percent drop in nighttime crashes. The state, Australia’s most populous, now plans to introduce more illuminated road sections to improve safety.

The glow-in-the-dark markings absorb sunlight during the day and emit it at night, making road lines more visible in low-light conditions. This paint is also suitable for use on cycling paths, pedestrian walkways, airport runways, car parks, and other poorly lit areas.

Bulli Pass, located about 75 kilometers southeast of Sydney, was selected for the trial because of its steep gradients and sharp curves. Data showed that the route recorded 125 crashes in the 12 months up to 30 June 2024. Around 10 percent of those accidents occurred in the late evening or at night—nearly double the average for regional roads across the state.

The introduction of glowing roads in New South Wales follows a similar experiment in the neighboring state of Victoria, which was discontinued in 2022 after officials found the safety benefits did not justify the expansion of the project.

A previous trial in the Netherlands was also halted after the luminous paint lost brightness when the roads became wet.