Description
About 30% of fatalities on EU roads at night occur when a vehicle veers off the road, particularly on curves where road signs are located outside the headlight beam. This solution offers a cost-effective and energy-saving way to improve road signs and guardrails by applying a thin, dense, and durable SrAl2O4These luminous strips glow for several hours after being exposed to car headlights or daylight.
The Achievable Results
Develop a programmable laser direct-write technology for integrating long-lasting luminescent materials (SrAl₂O₄:Eu,Dy) onto standard road signs and infrastructure surfaces. Create functional prototypes (road signs, guardrails, markings) with integrated afterglow.
The Anticipated Benefit
Impact: fewer nighttime accidents, improved safety on rural roads, resilience during power outages, and lower operating costs. The benefit to the Latvian economy is also significant – exportable IP and an expanded range of services for local sign manufacturers, creating high-value jobs.
