New spray-on coating makes roads glow at night!

Engineers have developed a new water-resistant, spray-on coating that makes roads glow in the dark by absorbing UV light during the day and releasing it at night.
The Starpath coating can adapt to the lighting conditions in its surroundings to glow accordingly. The technology is being given a test run at the Christ's Pieces park in Cambridge, UK.
It could prove to be a cost effective alternative to conventional street lighting, its makers said.
Developed by UK-based company Pro-Teq, the coating absorbs and stores UV light during the day and releases it at night, when its particles are able to adjust to the available natural light, and glow with the appropriate level of intensity, 'Gizmag' reported.

"This product adjusts to the natural light, so if it is pitch black outside the luminous natural earth enhances, and if the sky is lighter, it won't release as much luminosity - it adjusts accordingly, its almost like it has a mind of its own," said Hamish Scott, Owner of Pro-Teq Surfacing (UK) Ltd.
The coating is currently being trialled in Christ's Pieces, a park in the centre of Cambridge, where it has been sprayed on a total area of 1,600 sq ft.

Pro-Teq said the coating took only 30 minutes to apply, with the surface being ready for use after only four hours.

"Our surface works best over tarmac or concrete, predominantly tarmac, which is the main bulk of the UK path network," said Pro-Teq sales director Neil Blackmore.
The coating has anti-slip properties and can also help reduce the risk of collisions between cyclists and pedestrians at night without having to resort to artificial painted centre lines.