The introduction of new road technologies often comes with high expectations and equally significant costs. In Malaysia, authorities decided to launch an experiment: on one stretch of highway in the Hulu Langat district, fluorescent lines that glow in the dark have been installed. This initiative aimed to reduce the number of accidents, particularly on secondary roads where there is no lighting and traditional markings quickly lose visibility after rain or in fog. Drivers immediately noted that the bright stripes are visible even on the darkest nights, which truly helps them navigate the road.
However, behind the impressive visibility lies another issue—the cost. It turned out that covering one square meter with this paint costs nearly 900 euros, whereas a traditional white line costs only 47 euros. For rural areas, where budgets are always tight, such expenses seem excessive. Authorities admit that it is unrealistic to replace all road markings with fluorescent ones, although the positive effect is clear.
Experimental solutions
Malaysia did not limit itself to marking only major highways. Fluorescent lines were applied to a short stretch—just 245 meters. This approach allowed for a quick assessment of how effective the technology is in real-life conditions. Minister of Public Works Alexander Nanta Linggi explained that the idea arose due to the inability to install full-scale lighting in remote areas. The paint accumulates sunlight during the day and emits a soft glow at night, making the road visible even in poor weather conditions.
The first drivers’ reviews have been positive: the markings do not lose brightness even after rain, and in low visibility conditions, they help prevent accidental lane departures. However, there are no plans to scale up the project nationwide for now. The reason is simple—the costs are too high and don’t fit into the current budgets.
Global experience
Malaysia is not the only country considering such measures. Australia and the Netherlands have also conducted experiments with fluorescent road markings. Australian authorities allocated nearly 150 million euros to the project but concluded that using such lines makes sense not on all roads, but only on selected sections—for example, on bike paths, pedestrian crossings, and near intersections. The paint manufacturer, Tarmac Linemarking, notes that the technology is effective, but requires significant investment.
In the Netherlands, despite positive results, authorities also abandoned large-scale implementation due to high costs. As a result, fluorescent lines remained more of an experiment than a standard for all roads. In both cases, officials chose to invest in other innovative solutions that improve safety without such significant expenses.
Spanish initiatives
In Spain, the approach to road safety is different. Here, visual effects are actively introduced to encourage drivers to slow down. For example, some sections feature so-called ‘dragon’s teeth’—triangular markings that create the illusion of a narrower lane. This technique has a psychological impact, prompting drivers to be more attentive and drive at a lower speed.
Another technique is zigzag lines along the road edges, which warn of an approaching pedestrian crossing or a speed restriction zone. These measures are inexpensive, yet they significantly enhance safety, especially near schools and busy intersections. The Spanish experience demonstrates that sometimes simple visual solutions can be just as effective as costly technologies.
Malaysia’s Minister of Public Works, Alexander Nanta Linggi, gained recognition for introducing innovative approaches to road safety. His initiative with fluorescent road markings sparked widespread attention and discussion both within the country and abroad. Despite the high cost, the project drew attention to the issue of accidents on secondary roads and became an example of how new ideas can change established road infrastructure standards.
