Bulli Pass got a glow-up — and the results are brighter than expected. Photo: Transport for NSW.
The results are in for a six-month trial of glowing line markings on Bulli Pass, showing a dramatic drop in near misses and prompting Transport for NSW to eye other high-risk roads for a wider rollout.
The “glow roads” trial, which started in December last year, tested the efficacy of photoluminescent paint and four “glow signs” in improving visibility in low-light conditions on the notorious hairpin bend of the steep and winding road.
Data indicates the additions have delivered both measurable safety benefits and strong community support.
In the six months after the treatment was applied, actual near misses at the hairpin fell by nearly a third — from 52 to 37 — compared to the same period a year earlier. When isolating the data to night-time hours, the reduction was even sharper: a 67 per cent drop in near misses between 9 pm and 4 am.
According to Transport for NSW, 83 per cent of locals surveyed said the glowing lines gave them greater peace of mind when driving the bend at night. Motorists reported improved line visibility and heightened awareness of the road’s shape as they approached the curve — especially beyond the reach of their headlights.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson said the trial’s early success had prompted the agency to consider expanding the technology to other challenging road environments.
“Glow roads are designed to improve road safety at night and in poor weather by helping make line markings stand out,” the spokesperson said.
“They offer an extra safety option where street lighting may not be practical.”
Previous glow road trials were scrapped in Victoria due to insufficient benefits to justify a wider rollout, and in the Netherlands due to poor performance with exposure to moisture.
The Bulli Pass project took a more targeted approach, focusing on a single, high-risk corner where visibility is often compromised rather than long stretches.
The glowing lines and signs absorb sunlight during the day and emit a visible glow after dark. The effect, when fully charged, brings line visibility close to daylight levels, particularly around the curve where headlights struggle to illuminate the road ahead.
While the treatment may not be viable for every road, Transport said the trial demonstrates how strategic application in the right locations can make a significant difference.
Bulli Pass, known for its sharp turns and steep gradient, was selected for the trial following a spike in after-dark near-miss incidents — 125 recorded in the year to June 2024. This was despite the road being closed for almost half of that time to repair four landslip sites.
The trial’s success was achieved despite these challenges, with Transport confirming that the glow treatment helped maintain safe navigation during late-night and low-visibility conditions.
“This comes at a lower cost than covering vast distances over a straight highway, where headlights can often light up regular white lines sufficiently,” the spokesperson said.
“On Bulli Pass, it lights the way around the hairpin turn, so drivers can see the lines beyond their headlights’ range.”
Transport is now assessing additional locations where glow roads could offer similar improvements, particularly in areas where traditional lighting infrastructure is not suitable.
