Solar-powered cats eyes get go-ahead on UK roads
Author: Chris Haycock
Published: 20 November 2007
British-invented solar-powered cats eyes have been certified for use by the Department for Transport (DfT), with the company behind the invention claiming they give a ten-fold increase in night-time visibility.
The Astucia SolarLite stud stores solar energy throughout the day and are activated from dusk until dawn, visible up to a range of 900m. The SolarLite road stud extends driver reaction times to over 30 seconds when driving at 60mph, says Astucia.
The studs are now in use in approximately 120 locations across the UK, with some local authorities reporting reductions in night time accidents of well over 70% since their installation.
While only one third of all journeys occur at night, almost half of the serious or fatal accidents occur during the hours of darkness.
The presence of the studs means less drivers are likely to cross the white centre line on dual carriageways or speed when cornering.
The SolarLite studs were conceived in 1989 by Martin Dicks, a former member of the London Fire Brigade who formed Astucia to develop and market his invention in 1992.
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