Glow-in-the-dark road markings to expand across Selangor

In a bid to bolster road safety, the Selangor government has unveiled plans to extend the glow-in-the-dark road markings initiative to 15 new locations across all nine districts in the state. This initiative, spearheaded by Izham Hashim, the state’s infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman, aims to enhance visibility for road users, particularly in areas lacking adequate street lighting.

The project, which will cover approximately 15 kilometers of roadways in districts such as Sepang, Kuala Langat, and Petaling, is set to be implemented gradually. While the total cost is estimated at around RM900,000, a timeline for the rollout was not specified in Hashim’s recent announcement.

Strategic alignment with ‘Selangor Bercahaya’ program

The glow-in-the-dark road markings initiative is part of the broader ‘Selangor Bercahaya’ program, which has already seen the installation of 600 LED street lamps throughout the state. To further augment road safety measures, an additional allocation of RM1.5 million has been allocated for the installation of more LED street lamps this year.

Originally proposed by Mohd Zamri Mohamud, the district director of the Hulu Langat Public Works Department (JKR), the initiative aims to provide better visibility, especially for cyclists navigating dark stretches at night. However, concerns have been raised regarding the cost-effectiveness of the project, with the photoluminescent paint used for the markings priced significantly higher at RM749 per square meter compared to RM40 per square meter for conventional road marking paint, as highlighted by Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

Pilot project success in Hulu Langat

The pilot project, which was initiated by the Hulu Langat JKR, saw the installation of glow-in-the-dark road markings in November last year along a two-lane road near Semenyih town. Despite the relatively high implementation costs, road users have expressed appreciation for the initiative, noting its potential to enhance safety, particularly in areas with poor lighting conditions.

Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi, who inspected the markings, noted their durability of up to 10 hours and their effectiveness even during rainy weather. However, he emphasized that the ministry is still evaluating the project’s overall effectiveness and cost efficiency.

The initiative has garnered positive feedback from Malaysians, who view it as a significant step towards improving road safety across the state. With plans underway to expand the initiative, residents and road users alike can look forward to safer journeys on Selangor’s roads in the near future.