In a bid to enhance road safety, Malaysia recently experimented with glow-in-the-dark road paint as a potential solution to improve nighttime visibility. While the concept has been well-received by drivers, the high cost of the technology has led to its limited use and raises questions about the balance between innovation and budget constraints.
An Alternative to Traditional Road Lighting
The issue of road safety is a priority for many countries, and Malaysia is no exception. On winding roads, visibility at night can be a significant challenge, and installing street lights can be both complicated and costly. To address this, the local government sought alternative solutions, leading to a surprising trial.
In 2023, Malaysia tested phosphorescent paint on a 245-meter stretch of road in the Hulu Langat district. As the sun set, the road literally began to glow, creating a safer environment for nighttime driving. This glow-in-the-dark paint replaces the need for traditional road reflectors, offering continuous illumination even in poor weather conditions. Drivers appreciated the improved visibility, especially since the road had previously been unlit, making night travel hazardous.
According to Alexander Nanta Linggi, Malaysia’s Minister of Public Works, this glow-in-the-dark paint could be a game changer in rural areas where street lighting infrastructure is often lacking. The idea seemed promising—cheap to install and effective at improving safety on dark roads. However, the solution wasn’t as simple as it appeared.
An Effective Yet Overpriced Solution
Despite the obvious benefits of this innovative technology, the major hurdle has been its price. The phosphorescent paint used in the trial costs a staggering 149 euros per square meter, which is 20 times more expensive than standard road paint, priced at just 8 euros per square meter. This significant cost discrepancy has raised concerns about the feasibility of widespread adoption.
As a result, the Ministry of Public Works decided not to pursue further installations of glow-in-the-dark roads. Ahmad Maslan, the Deputy Minister of Public Works, confirmed that while the tests were well-received by drivers, the high cost of the paint made it an impractical solution for large-scale use. “The cost is too high, so we probably won’t continue with the installation of phosphorescent roads,” he said, adding that the tests hadn’t convinced the ministry’s experts to pursue it further.
Many observers have expressed disappointment over the decision, pointing to the delicate balance that governments must strike between innovating and managing public infrastructure budgets. The question remains: How much is road safety worth, especially when the price of such innovations may be too high for a country to bear on a larger scale? While the glow-in-the-dark roads could certainly help, the cost might ultimately outweigh their benefits, at least for now.
