While there are a number of varieties of road studs, reflective road studs are by far the most common (and popular) choice. Often known as ‘cat’s eyes’ after their original trademark, these ingenious safety devices were first invented in 1933, and have used a similar design ever since.
Reflective road studs are designed to provide an extremely high retroreflectivity, meaning that the light reflected from nearby light sources is reflected back with similar strength. On the road, this means that streetlights and headlights highlight the reflective road studs, revealing the contours of the road to the driver.
Most reflective road studs are milled, a process whereby the studs are placed into cavities which are created in the road surface. This allows the reflective road studs to depress into the cavity when they are run over, preventing them from being damaged. Water which collects in the cavity then cleans the stud, ensuring that it retains its retroreflectivity.
Not all reflective road studs are milled, however. Retroreflective road studs can also be surface mounted, either by being bonded to the surface or inset in a smaller surface cavity. These studs tend to be more cost-effective as they do not require milling, and their raised profile offers good visibility in the daytime.
Reflective road studs have all sorts of applications on the road networks. As well as providing a visual cue for where you are on the road and which way the road is heading, they also provide auditory and tactile feedback when you drive over them. In addition to deploying reflective road studs, we also offer a full range of studs in our online store for you to apply yourself.
While reflective road studs remain the most popular form of road studs, there are other options depending on your circumstances. These include non-reflective studs and markers such as those marking pedestrian crossings, as well as solar-powered road studs, which can provide a similar level of light at a greater distance than cat’s eyes.
Each road stud project is different, and we’ll work closely with you to determine the exact nature of your project, before suggesting the optimal solution. Take a look at our Case Studies page to view our past projects, or contact us today to find out what Hi-Way Services can do for you.
