PROJECT

Safer night driving
on Bulli Pass

Giving drivers confidence around the bend

At night, every bend poses a risk, and now drivers can see what’s coming. Bulli Pass on the Princes Highway between Sydney and Wollongong in New South Wales is a notoriously steep and winding descent presenting significant challenges for drivers, especially at night. Following a rise in near-miss incidents, Transport for NSW partnered with OmniGrip Direct to trial an innovative solution, Photoluminescent Linemarking (Glow Roads).

This glow-in-the-dark technology was designed to enhance driver awareness and safety without the need for electricity or major infrastructure. Strategically installed along the hairpin bend, the markings absorb sunlight during the day and illuminate at night, providing drivers with extra visual guidance beyond the range of their headlights on one of the state’s most dangerous roads.

Client
Transport for NSW

Red and blue block logo with curved lines.

Location
Bulli Pass, Princes Highway, NSW

Service

Sector

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Client Challenges

Bulli Pass features a long, steep descent with hairpin bends that have proven difficult for drivers to navigate safely – particularly trucks and other heavy vehicles

In the 12 months to June 2024, 125 near-miss incidents between 9pm and 4am were recorded along Bulli Pass. Around 10% occurred at night, nearly double the regional average.

Transport for NSW sought a low-impact, cost-effective solution to improve night-time visibility around the curve without disrupting traffic or installing new power-reliant infrastructure.

Solution

Delivering the fix

Photoluminescent Linemarking for night-time visibility

To improve nighttime safety on the steep hairpin bend, OmniGrip Direct installed Photoluminescent (PL) Linemarking, strategically positioned midway down the descent to give drivers early visual guidance.

Charged by sunlight during the day, the markings glow at night to guide drivers around the curve, providing visibility well beyond the range of their headlights, giving them extra time to anticipate and navigate the bend safely.

The trial included detailed data collected over 6 months, inclujding performance and skid-resistance testing across multiple vehicle types: cars, trucks, motorcycles and bicycles, confirming the first uses of glow-in-the-dark road technology on a public road in NSW as highly successful.

Explore PL Linemarking

The results

Zero energy use

No electrical infrastructure used

%
Drop in night-time near misses after installation
%
Of drivers surveyed reported the glow provided “increased peace of mind” while travelling the route
Improved visibility beyond headlight range
Low-maintenance, sustainable safety solution
Supported Transport for NSW’s long-term “Towards Zero” vision for zero road deaths and serious injuries by 2050

Impact

“Bulli Pass has had a rising number of near misses, particularly at night. Using Glow Roads to improve driving conditions will help thousands of motorists who rely on this busy route. Being able to see the shape of the road ahead is critical to safe driving, and that’s what Glow Roads do.

This initiative offers an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solution on regional roads with limited or non-existent street lighting.”

John Graham

NSW Minister for Roads

Dark road at night illuminated by green reflective dashed lane markers.

Night view of runway with green glowing markers leading into the distance. Buildings visible in the background.

Road marking. Green, reflective paint over white stripe on asphalt.

Night scene of a road with green illuminated road markings, a truck and a car.

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