Cats Eyes (Road Active Studs)
DfT approval opens the door for wider use of active road studs (Cats Eyes)
Highway authorities could soon have a simpler way to improve road safety after dark, following government approval for a new type of solar-powered road stud that can be installed using existing methods.
Highways technology company Clearview Intelligence has received Department for Transport (DfT) Type Approval for its new SolarLite S381 active road stud. Developed in partnership with Prismo Road Markings, the innovative LED road stud is designed to fit directly into standard cast iron road stud housings, making it compatible with current installation practices.
The approval means local authorities can introduce the new technology as part of routine resurfacing and road marking projects without the need for additional engineering work or changes to established installation methods, helping to reduce costs and minimise disruption.
The biggest advantage for motorists is improved visibility at night and in poor weather. Unlike traditional reflective road studs, which only light up when illuminated by a vehicle’s headlights, the SolarLite S381 actively emits light and can be seen from up to 900 metres away. By comparison, conventional road studs are typically visible from around 90 metres in good conditions, with their effectiveness dropping significantly in rain, fog and darkness.
