Questions & Answers

What is a dynamic road marker (DRM)?

A dynamic road marker, in short DRM, is a road light that is installed in the road and can be used for a wide range of traffic applications, for instance, lane guidance, lane diversion, lane allocation, road lineage, warning signals for tram and pedestrian crossings. ”Dynamic” means that it’s appearance and usage changes to adapt to different traffic situations.

What does fully flush mean?

Fully flush is a term used for describing that something is totally aligned with a surface. In our case it means that the lights that are set in the road are totally aligned with the road surface, nothing prodtrudes. This distinction is important for several reasons. A road marker that is not fully flush with the road surface may be damaged or rendered useless by snow ploughs during winter season. A road marker that is not fully flush generates a lot of noise from passing cars.

How can the light be directed towards the driver if the optical part does not protrude above ground?
Normally road markers are constructed with a protruding optical part, the main reason is to send the light out at zero degrees. With the light source below ground and no protruding part it would mean that the light would not be visible from the ground. This is because no lens can direct the light at the driver without having the optical part a few millimeters above ground. The Advanced Light, however, features a patented solution for the lens which solves this problem. Without having any part above ground the lens directs the light precise and concentrated in a zero degrees angle.Advnced Light’s advanced optics makes the not possible possible.

How can the Advanced Light help to create a better environment?

Traffic congestions with rows of slow moving cars contribute substantially to air pollution. With a better flow of traffic and roads with higher capacity through the use of dynamic road markers, congestions will be less frequent. With an efficient flow of traffic no unnecassary pollution is caused.

The Texas Transportation Institute has estimated the total cost that traffic congestion causes in the US. In the Urban mobility report 2009 they claim that the total cost from congestions amounts to 87 billion dollars. This figure is based on travel delays and wasted fuel and does not include the cost for air pollution. A product that decreases traffic congestions would greatly relieve the pressure on the environment.

There is another environmental aspect where the Advanced Light is desigend to function without any polluting consequence. Tests by the Dutch road authorities show that even as little protrusion as 1 mm will generate a substantial amount of noise when cars continously drive over it. An increased noise level on the road has a huge disturbing effect on close-by living communities and also on animal habitats. Because the Advanced Light is fully flush with the road surface no additional noise is generated by passing cars.

Are guidance and lights that are built into the road more visible than traditional signals above ground?

Yes, to place guidance and signals in the road instead of above the road means that drivers do not need to shift their focus away from the traffic. They thus maintain a better overview of the traffic situation. Traditional signals are in many cases an alternative, but placing them where the drivers actually look creates a situation where the drivers are better informed about dangers and diversions which allow them to make better decisions.

In what way does the Advanced Light make the road safer?

Placing signals in the drivers’ natural area of focus give them vital information without forcing them to shift their attention away from the traffic. This allows drivers to react better, quicker, have time to make better desicions and better plan their driving.

Other aspects of the Advanced Light also help to make the roads safer. The light’s self cleaning ability, it melts snow and ice from the optics, the long life cycle and easy maintenance, all contribute to keeping the road operational. During bad weather, fog, rain, snow or during night the lights can be used to guide and avert drivers through risks and dangers in an effective way.

The Advanced Light features a refined optic lens that directs the light presicely where it is needed. No phantom light which can confuse and disorient other drivers is generated. The wider use of dynamic road markers will also have a positive effect on the traffic flow, creating less congestion and subsequently less stress and irritation on the roads.

Is not the best way to improve the flow of traffic and road capacity, to expand the infrastructure?

Of course the flow of traffic can be improved by building more and bigger roads, but, this is very expensive and often not possible. A better way is to use the existing road network in a more efficient way. The Advanced Light is truly a dynamic road marker. It can effectively be used to reallocate extra lanes when it is needed. Why let rush hour traffic create congestions when the lanes on the road can be used more dynamically? The allocation of lanes can be controlled by the volume of traffic.