Clearview has been delivering technology solutions to the highways and transport sector for over half of century and brings a wealth of knowledge and innovative ideas to the industry.
In his presentation at TRANSPORT Smart Class, Scotland 2026, Mark Neilson – Clearview’s Scotland and NI BDM Highways – explored how SolarLite active road studs can help road authorities rethink the traditional approach to road delineation, visibility and safety. He discussed how roads and driver needs have evolved, the value of clearer and more intuitive guidance, and real-world schemes demonstrating improvements in visibility, confidence and road-user experience.
Mark also considered the wider opportunity to deliver smarter, lower-cost and lower-carbon infrastructure by challenging long-established defaults and making greater use of modern road technology.
Client Relationship Director Andy Salotti added his expert knowledge during Clearview’s deeper dive roundtable sessions.
Presentation highlights and notes:
- A HERITAGE OF INNOVATION – For over 50 years, Clearview Intelligence has helped road authorities understand network performance through innovative traffic monitoring and data-led road safety solutions. From the first traffic counter in 1976 to the first active road stud 1996, the company has a history of challenging established road technology. Today, SolarLite stands alongside Clearview Intelligence with its own dedicated focus on solar-powered road solution;
- CREATED FOR A DIFFERENT WORLD – The first retroreflective road stud was patented by Percy Jackson in 1934. Consequently, the road network at this time did not routinely contain the type of geometry we now take for granted: multi-lane motorway carriageways; high-speed merge and diverge areas; complex grade-separated interchanges; long acceleration and deceleration lanes; extensive lane segregation; smart-motorway infrastructure; multiple lane-changing movements at sustained high speed;
- THE EVOLTION OF BRITAIN’S ROADS: 1934 – Retroreflective Catseye road studs introduced; 1958 – The first motorway opens; 1959 – The M1 creates sustained, high-speed, multi-lane driving; 1972 – The first Spaghetti Junction opens; 1986 – The M25 creates interconnected motorways and complex strategic interchanges; 1995 – First controlled motorway; 1996 – First active road stud; 2006 – First Smart Motorway; 2026 – Today’s roads: complex, connected and digitally managed;
- TODAYS DRIVER HAS DIFFERENT NEEDS – The modern driver is dealing with a greater visual and cognitive load…
- Higher-speed environments – Motorways did not exist when reflective studs first appeared. Today’s driver may be making rapid visual decisions at motorway speeds, across multiple lanes, junctions and changing traffic conditions; More competing information – Navigation, dashboards, vehicle alerts, infotainment and phones are now part of the driving environment;
- Great Britain recorded 342.6 billion vehicle miles in 2025; An ageing driver population – There are now more than 6.3 million drivers aged 70+ in Great Britain, up around 60% since 2012; In 1934 there were 2.4 million vehicles, in 2026 there were 42.4 million vehicles – an increase of 1,700%;
- Why are we still using Pre WW2 Technology on our roads? In a world of rapid innovation, our roads are still built on technology from nearly a century ago;
- THE CHOICES WE MAKE – The lowest cost isn’t always the best value. The added value comes from greater safety, resilience and reduced disruption when it matters most;
- RAISING THE STANDARD – “Are we still choosing the best solution for today’s needs, or simply the solution we have always chosen?”;
- SOLARLITE: Reduced Night-Time Collisions – Reduces night-time collisions by up to 70%; Increased Visibility – Up to 900m- 10 x more than retroreflective studs; Increased Reaction Time – Increases reaction time 10 x from 3-30 seconds; Reduced Lane Transgressions – Reduced lane transgressions by 38.6%; Lower Lifetime Cost – Lasts 4 x longer than retroreflective studs;
- SOLUTIONS FOR AN EVOLVING ROAD NETWORK – From strategic highways to local paths, SolarLite delivers enhanced guidance and visibility where it matters most. The range of solutions is designed to meet the needs of different road environments, from complex junctions and high-speed networks to local roads and pathways;
- SOLARLITE FAMILY – SOLARLITE FLUSH; SOLARLITE SURFACE; SOLARLITE S.381; SOLARLITE PATH;
- SOLARLITE DELIVERS 3 OUTCOMES…
- 1) SAFETY – Safer journeys in darkness and poor conditions: Up to 70% reduction in night-time collisions; Up to 10x greater visibility; Active roadstuds can increase a driver’s reaction time from 3.2 seconds to over 30 seconds at 62mph;
- 2) SUSTAINABILITY – Solar powered with real carbon-saving potential: Solar powered; No mains electricity required; Carbon savings – Can be used as a sustainable alternative to streetlighting;
- 3) STEWARDSHIP – Long-life performance with less disruption: Maintenance free; Lasts 4x longer than retroflective studs; Fewer replacements and installations; Less traffic management and road disruption;
- SOLARLITE – SUPPORTING SCOTLAND’S SAFE SYSTEM…
- Scotland’s Road Safety Framework Targets – 2030: Halve deaths and serious injuries. 2050: Zero deaths and serious injuries – Vision Zero;
- Safe Roads and Roadsides – “They are self-explaining in that their design encourages safe and sustainable travel so that they are predictable and forgiving of errors”;
- ROAD SAFETY CHALLENGES AT NIGHT – 50% of all fatal collisions happen after dark despite 25% of driving occurring at night; Headlight glare affects 91% of drivers and takes on average 9 seconds for the eye to recover; 31% of UK drivers do not feel comfortable driving at night; Only 25% of novice drivers look far enough ahead through bends; Older drivers’ reaction times are on average 37% slower than younger drivers (ROSPA Research);
- A92 PARBOATH TO FIVE ROADS ROUNDABOUT – Amey Identified the A92 to Five Roads Roundabout as a priority site for intervention. The section was treated with SolarLite active road studs to improve delineation, strengthen driver guidance and support safer decision-making;
- A914 – SolarLite offers local authorities a flexible approach to deployment. Schemes can be tailored to both site requirements and available budgets;
- A1 – SolarLite installed across 14 miles of the A1. The scheme used white, red, amber and green LED studs to improve lane, edge and junction visibility at night and in poor weather. Driver feedback showed improved junction clarity, confidence and visibility, supporting safer journeys along previously unlit sections of the route;
- SAFETY, SUSTAINABILITY AND WHOLE LIFE COST – Department of Transport ADEPT Live Labs 2 Decarbonising Local Roads;
- TURNING ROAD SAFETY INVESTMENT INTO SUSTAINABLE, LONG SAVINGS…
- Livelabs 2 project funded by Dft in partnership with East Riding Council and Clearview Intelligence – 8 km of street lighting switched off; 3 roundabouts de-illuminated; SolarLite studs + enhanced markings + reflective signs; AI monitoring of speed, braking and lane position; Safety maintained through improved guidance;
- What you can save in cost and carbon – 20% of streetlights are underperforming or unnecessary. Switching to passive alternatives could: Save £300 million annually in assets, electricity & maintenance; Avoid 200,000 tonnes of CO2 each year;
- THE SWITCH OFF – Traditional Street Lighting: Expensive to install; Costly to maintain; Not passively safe; Impacts dark skies;
- A CALL TO ACTION: As Roads Evolve, So Should The Standard!
If you satisfy our regular delegate qualification criteria but were unable to join us in Glasgow on September 10th for the live in-person event at The Exchange, CLICK HERE and complete the short “Download form” (located at the bottom of the post) to receive a unique link enabling free access to the presentation video recordings and slides (including the film footage and slides from Mark’s initial presentation).
Those qualifying to receive the rich presentation content from this event include commissioning, procurement, trialling, partnering and policy leads, senior influencers, strategic decision makers, programme managers and planners from local authorities (e.g. city, borough, metropolitan, district and county councils); public transport operators; regional transport partnerships, sub-regional transport bodies, combined authorities, integrated transport authorities and passenger transport executives; highways authorities and road operators; government and supporting national transport agencies; non-governmental organisations; fleet operators, parking operators, prime contractors etc.
