According to statistics from the World Health Organisation, nighttime traffic accidents account for more than 30% of all accidents worldwide, with accidents caused by poor nighttime visibility accounting for as much as 45%. In some developing countries, this proportion is even higher. During nighttime driving, inadequate road lighting, blurred traditional traffic signs, and driver visual fatigue caused by dim lighting all contribute to traffic accidents. This risk is particularly pronounced on rural roads without streetlights, complex curves, and construction zones.
In this context, solar road studs, as an innovative traffic safety facility, are increasingly becoming an effective solution to reduce nighttime accident rates. These compact yet powerful road studs utilise solar energy converted into electricity to provide clear guidance and warnings on roads at night through active lighting.
The operational process of solar road studs is based on an efficient energy conversion system. During the day, the solar panels on the surface of the road studs absorb sunlight, converting it into electrical energy, which is stored in built-in lithium batteries. When night falls or ambient light dims, light-controlled sensors automatically activate, triggering the road studs' lighting mechanisms. At this point, the stored electrical energy powers LED lights or other luminous components, causing the road studs to emit continuous light. Some high-end solar road studs are also equipped with smart sensing components that can automatically adjust the brightness based on traffic flow, further optimising energy efficiency.
Unlike traditional reflective road studs, solar road studs use an active lighting mode. Even without vehicle headlights, they can display a prominent brightness, with a nighttime visibility distance exceeding 500 metres, far surpassing the passive reflective effect of reflective road studs.
Solar road studs utilise solar energy as their sole power source, eliminating the need for external power supply. This not only reduces electricity consumption but also achieves zero carbon emissions, fully aligning with the principles of green transportation. According to calculations, a single solar road stud can reduce carbon emissions by approximately 10 kilograms annually.
Through its built-in intelligent control system, the solar road stud automatically adjusts brightness based on ambient light intensity and traffic volume. During peak traffic periods, the stud automatically increases brightness; during late-night periods with low traffic volume, it reduces brightness to conserve energy, ensuring battery longevity.
In pitch-black nights or adverse weather conditions such as heavy fog or rain, the continuous illumination of solar road studs clearly outlines road contours, lane boundaries, and hazardous areas. On rural roads without streetlights, they serve as bright road markers, helping drivers accurately determine the road’s direction; during rainy or foggy weather, their penetrating light effectively prevents accidents caused by vehicles veering off lanes due to impaired visibility.
In special road sections such as curves, slopes, and intersections, solar road studs play a critical guiding role. On sharp bends, road studs are arranged continuously along the edge of the curve, flashing or remaining lit to remind drivers to slow down and follow the correct trajectory, significantly reducing the risk of vehicle rollovers and loss of control. At highway entrances and exits, solar road studs clearly indicate the direction of vehicle entry and exit, reducing collisions caused by unclear routes.
In construction zones, accident-prone areas, and near obstacles, solar road studs use flashing or high-brightness display modes to strongly warn drivers. In road construction areas, the warning lights of the road studs can alert drivers in advance to changes in road conditions, prompting them to slow down; solar road studs installed around accident sites can also effectively prevent secondary accidents.
In a motorway upgrade project in a certain province, solar road studs were installed for lane separation, entrance/exit guidance, and service area alerts. One year after implementation, statistical data showed that the nighttime accident rate on this section decreased by 35%. Drivers reported that even during rainy nights or foggy weather, they could clearly see lane boundaries and road signs, significantly enhancing driving safety.
In a rural road renovation project in a mountainous area of southwestern China, where lighting facilities were lacking, nighttime traffic accidents were frequent. After installing solar road studs, not only were road boundaries clearly marked, but warning studs were also installed on dangerous sections such as sharp curves and steep slopes. Within six months, the nighttime accident rate in the area decreased by 40%, effectively ensuring the safety of villagers during nighttime travel, and they praised the practicality of solar road studs.
At busy intersections, pedestrian crossings, and areas near schools in urban areas, solar road studs complement traffic signals and markings to further enhance nighttime traffic order and safety. In a certain city's school zone, after installing solar road studs, the safety of pedestrians crossing the road at night significantly improved, with traffic accidents involving pedestrians decreasing by 25%.
On a section of a highway in Zhejiang Province, after installing solar road studs, statistics from traffic management authorities showed that accidents caused by lane deviation at night decreased by 42%. The project manager stated: ‘The active lighting characteristics of solar road studs significantly improved nighttime road visibility, playing a crucial role in enhancing driving safety.’
On a major highway in a Southeast Asian country, after installing solar road studs, the nighttime accident rate dropped from 120 incidents per year to 70 incidents, a decrease of 41.7%. Local traffic authorities believe that the solar road studs' outstanding performance in guiding vehicles and warning of hazards is the primary reason for the decline in accident rates.
The daily maintenance of solar road studs is very straightforward. Simply use a soft cloth to clean dust and dirt from the surface of the solar panels regularly to ensure they absorb sunlight properly; simultaneously, check the battery status and whether the lighting devices are functioning normally. Due to their compact structure and modular design, even if a fault occurs, damaged components can be quickly replaced, significantly reducing maintenance costs and time.
Solar road studs are manufactured using high-strength, weather-resistant materials, with housings featuring an IP67 or higher protection rating, enabling them to withstand extreme weather conditions such as high temperatures, low temperatures, heavy rain, and sandstorms. They operate reliably in the harsh winter conditions of Northeast China and the extreme heat of Southern China. Their average service life can reach 5–8 years, continuously ensuring road safety throughout their entire lifecycle.
Solar road studs, with their active lighting, energy-saving, environmentally friendly, and intelligent control features, play a significant role in enhancing road visibility, guiding vehicles to safe driving, and warning of hazardous areas, effectively reducing the incidence of night-time traffic accidents. Whether on highways, rural roads, or urban roads, solar road studs demonstrate significant safety benefits and practical value. To enhance night-time road traffic safety, road management departments, traffic engineering companies, and relevant institutions should actively consider adopting solar road studs.
