Cost-effective Road Reflectors Integrating Glow-in-the-dark and Recycled Glass for Improved Traffic Safety: A Case Study in Thailand’s Rural Roads
Abstract
This study develops an innovative approach to road safety by developing cost-effective road reflectors that integrate glow-in-the-dark (GiD) materials and recycled glass powder. The developed road reflectors were integrated onto passive road studs to reduce nighttime traffic accidents. Through as a case study, the research aims to enhance nighttime road visibility while promoting environmental sustainability using recycled glass powder. The reflectors combine phosphorescent compounds with recycled glass, creating a surface that absorbs light during the day and emits a prolonged glow at night, thus addressing some of the current limitations of conventional road reflectors. Different proportions (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30%) of different mixtures with GiD (strontium aluminate) were investigated in the laboratory to examine their glow. A mixture with 25% of GiD material was found optimum to provide adequate glow for several hours. This mixture was also found to have a high compressive strength (91 MPa) and tensile strength (8.7 MPa). Quantitative performance tests in both laboratory and field conditions, involving 30 specimens, show that the studs maintain a luminosity of 150 millicandela per square meter after 8 h of darkness, consistently exceeding the brightness levels of traditional reflectors. By reducing material costs and diverting waste from landfills, this practical application improves road safety and aligns with sustainable development goals. Findings from the field trials conducted at Walailak University underscore the potential for GiD stud technology to achieve large-scale adoption, offering a viable, eco-friendly solution for enhanced road safety infrastructure.