Highways England installs 4,500 new solar road studs

31/07/2018 |

Highways England has installed more than 4,500 solar road studs as part of £8.5m improvements to the A38 between Ripley and junction 28 of the M1 near Mansfield – a stretch that is used by more than 23,000 vehicles every day.

The studs harness sunlight to light up the road at night, and are even effective in heavy rain, mist or fog according to Highways England. They were designed and manufactured by Clearview Intelligence Ltd.

Standard road studs require car headlights to illuminate their reflective surface and this typically this means that the headlights can be seen up to 90 metres away. As a result drivers travelling at 60mph have around three seconds to react.

The new solar energy energy studs - with a panel absorbing power during the day - generate their own light at night through a battery powered LED and can be seen up to 900 metres away, giving drivers travelling at 60mph more than 30 seconds to react, Highways England said.

The Government-owned company said a four-hour charge from daylight can power the devices for over 200 hours.

The wider improvements also include high visibility lane markings that make it easier for drivers at night or in adverse weather conditions, and coloured high friction surface that reduces the risk of skidding.

Highways England project manager, Matthew Carruthers, said: 'This section of carriageway has no street lighting so the solar road studs and improved lane markings make a real difference.

'At the same time the new technology is more durable, meaning less disruption for motorists in the long term thanks to fewer roadworks.'

The new studs are also more durable, lasting up to five years longer than standard studs, require less maintenance during their lifetime and at only 4mm in height means are they safer for motorcycles, HIghways England said.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Senior Technician - Highways Design (2 Posts)

Grade 10 £35,422 - 38,730 per annum
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Professional Services Section Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Engineer External Contracts

Grade 11 £39,865 - 43,270 per annum
You will lead a team of Clerks of Works Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Senior Technician - Clerk of Works

Grade 9 £32,347 - 34,317 per annum
You will supervise works on site and liaise with developers, contractors and internal teams Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Director of Transport

£103,292 - £114,280
The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority was established as a new organisation in early 2024. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Hire Desk Operative

Grade 8 £29,719 - £31,691 per annum
Well-developed IT skills and an excellent working knowledge of the Microsoft Suite are required. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Streetcare Operative / LGV Driver - WMF2214e

£28,598 - £29,540
Applicants must hold a current full LGV Class C driving licence Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Roadworker Trainee LGV Driver (2 Posts)

Grade 6 £25,989 - £26,458 per annum
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Roadworker/Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 7 £27,088 - £29,062 per annum
We’re looking for roadworker/drivers to be part of our team undertaking major highway, bridge Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Senior Engineer - Public Realm

£28,624 - £36,124
We are looking for a Senior Engineer to support the development Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Mobile Cleansing Operative

£24,796 to £25,989 per annum
We’re seeking a permanent Mobile Street Cleansing Operative to join our dedicated team serving a variety of urban and rural locations Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 7 £27,088 - £29,062 per annum
We’re looking for experienced Roadworker/LGV Drivers High Peak, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Engineer - Hosting and Security

£35,412 to £39,152 p.a. (Grade 9)
A vacancy has arisen within our Hosting and Security Team for an experienced, enthusiastic, and flexible Engineer, with the aim of helping to ensure t Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Senior Engineer - Highways Safety

£28,624 - £36,124
Senior Engineer - Highways Safety Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

HGV & Municipal Vehicle Technician

Scale 5 (scp 16-19) £30,518 to £32,061 pa
An LGV category C driving licence is an essential requirement, as is a National Craft Certificate Clitheroe, Lancashire
Recruiter: Ribble Valley Borough Council

Head of Parking

£86,274 - £89,667
Our borough is beginning a huge transformation. Redbridge, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Redbridge London Borough Council

Assistant Director Transport and Infrastructure

£115,958 - £120,407
Dumfries and Galloway Council is ambitious for our region. Dumfries and Galloway
Recruiter: Dumfries & Galloway Council

Senior Highway Technician - Senior Inspector CDC

Grade 7 - £28,132 - £30,914
We are currently recruiting for a Senior Highway Technician Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Technician - Highway Inspector CDC

Grade 6 - £25,981 - £26,815
We are currently recruiting for a Highway Technician to work primarily as a member of a team Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £49,178 - £52,937 per annum
Shape the Future of Highways
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Mechanic Vehicle & Plant Craftperson

£32,061 to £34,434 Grade 7 and £35,412 to 38,220, Grade 8.
An exciting opportunity exists in the Council's Transport Services for seven Mechanic Vehicle & Plant Craft Persons Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW