Driving at night or in low-visibility conditions significantly increases road safety risks, but the introduction of reflective road studs has greatly improved this situation. As an important component of road safety infrastructure, reflective road studs provide drivers with clear road guidance through their unique design and functionality, effectively reducing the incidence of traffic accidents. This article will start with a basic understanding of reflective road studs, detailing their installation process, maintenance points, and common error avoidance methods, providing comprehensive and professional guidance for road construction and maintenance personnel.
reflective road studs
Reflective road studs, also known as “cat’s eyes,” are named for their unique cat’s eye design. In 1934, the UK first designed them in the shape of a cat’s eye, making them an important invention in the field of road safety. When vehicle headlights shine on reflective road studs, their internal special structure reflects the light back into the driver’s eyes, enabling drivers to clearly identify critical road information such as curves, edges, and lane boundaries even at night or in adverse weather conditions. Reflective road studs require no additional power supply and operate solely by reflecting vehicle headlights, making them an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solution widely adopted in various road construction and maintenance projects worldwide.
Reflective road studs are primarily categorized into four main types based on material and functionality: plastic road studs, solar-powered road studs, aluminum road studs, and glass road studs. Different types of road studs exhibit significant differences in material properties, applicable scenarios, and performance parameters.
Made from plastic or recycled plastic, these studs feature a reflective layer on the surface and are coated with a wear-resistant layer to enhance durability. Their core advantage lies in their relatively low cost, making them suitable for a wide range of road scenarios. They are widely used in the construction and maintenance of urban roads, rural roads, and other conventional road sections. Their load-bearing capacity varies depending on the specific product specifications but generally meets the requirements for ordinary vehicle traffic. Their waterproof performance is at a general protection level.
Made from aluminum alloy and plastic resin materials, the standout feature of this type of road stud is its ability to emit light without external power supply, offering active illumination functionality and a variety of colors to meet diverse road signage requirements. They are suitable for highways and remote sections without streetlights, providing clear road guidance to drivers in nighttime or low-light conditions. It has a strong load-bearing capacity, capable of withstanding weights up to 13,635 kg, with a waterproof rating of IP 65, effectively resisting water ingress and adapting to various complex weather conditions.
Made from aluminum alloy as the main material, with reflective components installed internally. Its significant advantages lie in its durability, capable of withstanding frequent crushing by heavy vehicles, and its stable and long-lasting reflective performance. It is commonly used on heavy-traffic sections and highways, playing a crucial role in ensuring road safety in high-traffic, heavy-duty environments. Compared to other types of road studs, aluminum road studs have a higher load-bearing capacity, capable of securely supporting heavy vehicles, while also offering excellent waterproof performance to effectively address issues such as rainwater erosion.
Made from special high-strength glass, it features 24/7, 360-degree high-brightness reflectivity, excellent compression resistance, and a long service life. Suitable for use in areas with high traffic volume and stringent reflective requirements, such as urban main roads and transportation hubs, they provide clear and prominent road markings for drivers under various lighting conditions. They demonstrate outstanding load-bearing performance, capable of withstanding significant pressure, and also feature excellent waterproofing properties, ensuring reliable functionality in humid environments.
In practical applications, selecting the appropriate type of reflective road stud is critical. For example, on highways with heavy traffic and a high volume of heavy vehicles, aluminum road studs and solar-powered road studs are preferred due to their superior load-bearing capacity and stable reflective performance; whereas on rural roads with limited budgets, plastic road studs are widely used for their cost-effectiveness.
glass road studs
Before beginning installation, prepare the following tools and materials:
Selected type of reflective road studs (plastic, aluminum, or solar, etc.)
Road marking adhesive or epoxy resin.
Appropriate drilling tools and drill bits (for road studs requiring drilling for fixation.)
Road surface cleaning tools (wire brushes, compressed air equipment, etc.)
Measuring tools (tape measure, chalk line.)
Personal protective equipment: gloves, safety vest, safety goggles.
Traffic warning signs or traffic cones.
Before installation, conduct a comprehensive assessment and cleaning of the target road section. Ensure that the installation area is dry, flat, and free of dust, oil stains, or other debris. For stubborn stains adhering to the road surface, use a wire brush with a specialized cleaner for cleaning; for large areas of dust, it is recommended to use compressed air blowing to ensure the adhesion effect between the road studs and the road surface. Special attention must be paid to avoid installing reflective road studs on damaged, pitted, or uneven road surfaces, as this will severely affect their service life and reflective performance.
Use chalk lines or a measuring tape to mark the installation positions of the road studs according to the standard spacing for different road types:
Highway centerline: Spacing controlled between 9 and 15 meters.
Lane separation lines or curved sections: Spacing set at 1 to 2 meters.
Pedestrian crossings, intersections, and other critical areas: Flexibly adjusted based on actual visibility requirements.
solar road studs
For types requiring mechanical fixation, such as aluminum road studs or solar road studs, use drilling tools to drill holes according to the manufacturer’s recommended diameter and depth. After drilling, promptly clean debris from the holes to ensure bolts or screws can be installed smoothly and provide secure fixation.
Apply epoxy resin or road marking adhesive evenly to the bottom of the stud or directly to the marked installation points. During application, ensure the adhesive is fully covered and evenly thick, avoiding bubbles or local deficiencies. Wear gloves during operation to prevent skin contact with the adhesive.
Quickly press the stud with adhesive applied onto the marked position, applying appropriate pressure to ensure the stud is tightly bonded to the road surface. For studs using mechanical fixation, after the adhesive has partially cured, use a screwdriver or wrench to tighten the bolts or screws to further enhance the stud’s stability.
During the adhesive curing period (typically 1–2 hours, refer to the product manual for specifics), clearly marked warning signs must be set up in the installation area to prohibit vehicle and pedestrian traffic, preventing external forces from interfering with the stud’s adhesion effectiveness.
After installation, conduct a comprehensive inspection of the reflective road studs: first, visually inspect whether the road studs are securely installed and arranged neatly; second, use vehicle headlights at night to test the reflective performance of the road studs, ensuring that the reflection is clearly visible within the specified distance (generally 50–100 meters). If any issues such as loosening or abnormal reflection are detected, promptly repair or reinstall the road studs.
Over time, reflective road studs exposed to outdoor environments are prone to accumulating dust, dirt, oil stains, and other contaminants on their surfaces. These pollutants form a layer that obstructs light reflection, significantly reducing the studs’ reflective performance. When reflective performance weakens, drivers may struggle to clearly identify road contours at night or in adverse weather conditions, greatly increasing the risk of traffic accidents. It is recommended to clean and maintain the road studs monthly.
Use a soft-bristle brush to gently remove surface dirt, combined with a neutral cleaner to dissolve stubborn stains. After cleaning, rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a clean cloth to ensure the road studs remain smooth and shiny, maintaining their high-efficiency reflective performance and ensuring road safety.
Retro-reflective road studs are subject to continuous stress from vehicle碾压, climate changes, and other factors during daily use, making them prone to damage. Establishing a scientific periodic inspection plan is crucial. Conduct a comprehensive and detailed inspection of the road studs every quarter, focusing on whether there are any issues such as loosening, damage, or detachment. If slightly loose road studs are not reinforced in a timely manner, they may gradually detach, leading to missing road markings.
solar road studs
Damaged road studs not only affect reflective performance but their sharp edges may also damage vehicle tires. Any issues identified during inspections must be addressed immediately through repair or replacement measures to eliminate safety hazards at their source, ensuring road safety facilities remain in optimal operational condition.
For solar road studs, special attention must be paid to their waterproof performance. Regularly inspect the sealing condition of solar panels, battery compartments, and other areas. If aging, cracking, or gaps in the sealing strips are detected, promptly repair them with waterproof sealant to prevent rainwater from infiltrating and damaging internal electronic components.
During the installation of reflective road studs, improper operation can easily lead to various issues, affecting the performance of the studs and road safety. The following are common mistakes and corresponding preventive measures:
Improper Operation: Installing road studs directly on a wet or dirty road surface. Consequences: The adhesive cannot bond effectively, causing the studs to easily detach. Solution: Strictly clean and dry the road surface according to requirements before installation.
Improper operation: Using expired or substandard adhesive. Consequences: Insufficient bonding strength, resulting in unstable road stud fixation. Solution: Use specialized adhesive from reputable brands within its shelf life, and strictly follow the product instructions for use.
Improper operation: Unreasonable spacing between road studs. Consequences: Impaired road guidance effectiveness and potential safety hazards. Solution: Strictly adhere to standard spacing requirements for different road types, and adjust flexibly based on actual road conditions.
Incorrect operation: Failure to implement traffic control during installation. Consequences: Increased safety risks for construction personnel, and vehicles may damage unhardened road studs. Solution: Set up prominent warning signs, assign dedicated personnel to direct traffic, and ensure construction safety.
By understanding the types and characteristics of reflective road studs, standard installation procedures, scientific maintenance methods, and error prevention strategies, the construction and maintenance standards of road safety facilities can be effectively improved. Whether professional road construction teams or road maintenance managers, all parties should strictly adhere to relevant standards and regulations to fully leverage the important role of reflective road studs in ensuring road traffic safety, thereby creating a safer and more efficient travel environment for all road users.
