Road Stripes Glow at Night: The Simple Science Behind This Safety Feature

Science
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News18•24-12-2025, 20:16
Road Stripes Glow at Night: The Simple Science Behind This Safety Feature
- •White road stripes glow at night due to 'Thermoplastic Road Marking Paint' mixed with 'Glass Beads', not batteries or lights.
- •The 'Glass Beads' cause 'Retro-reflection', sending vehicle headlight beams directly back to the driver's eyes.
- •During the day, intense and scattered sunlight overshadows the retro-reflection, making the stripes appear as plain paint.
- •Rain can hinder the glow as water on the glass beads obstructs light reflection, though advanced technology is addressing this.
- •Road safety features like these stripes and "cat eyes" utilize simple reflection principles to prevent accidents.
Why It Matters: Road stripes use glass beads and retro-reflection for night visibility, enhancing safety without electricity.
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