Enabling vehicles to “read” the roads

As urban environments evolve and traffic management systems become more complex, the role of road markings has shifted from merely a safety measure to a critical element in enhancing traffic flow, supporting micro mobility, and enabling automated driving technologies. This shift is part of a larger trend, with the global road marking materials market expected to hit USD 7.5 billion by 2025, driven by the increased demand for safety and advancements in smart road marking systems. With the approximate 1.2 million road fatalities annually, the need for clear, visible, and durable road markings is more critical than ever.

One of the leading companies at the forefront of this transformation is SWARCO, an Austrian-based global company  in traffic solutions and road marking systems. In an interview with Trafficinfratech, Harald Mosböck, Swarco’s Vice President for Road Marking Systems, speaks about the company’s contributions to traffic safety, the unique challenges of the road marking industry, and the company’s future plans for expansion in India.

We see a lot of potential in the Indian market, because India is heavily investing in its road infrastructure – and we are able to support this growth with great signalling products and systems

–  Harald Mosböck

How do you believe your company and products have contributed to the evolution of road markings from basic safety tools to integral elements of traffic management and micro mobility?

Swarco looks back to a 55-year track record. We started to produce reflective glass beads in 1969 in Austria. Nowadays our glass beads are appreciated by customers on all continents and we are able to provide material formulations for any climate zone. The company has a unique three-fold competence as a producer of glass microspheres, road marking materials, and provider of professional road marking services.

Over the past five decades, road marking systems have evolved to also provide their safety function at night under rainy conditions and on wet roads. Structured and profiled road markings using bigger glass beads were introduced to improve road safety. Such markings also have haptic effects which you feel as a vibration when passing over them. This can help prevent run-off-the-road accidents when drivers fall asleep.

The crucial criterion for the performance of road markings at night is their power of retro reflection. Here we continue to invest in our global competence center concerning research on high-performance glass beads and optimally designed marking systems. On a test track in Austria, we are able to analyse the performance of various road marking systems under all kinds of weather and road conditions. This research particularly takes into account the readability of road marking for the cameras and LiDARs of modern vehicles. Automated driving largely depends on quality road markings with high retro reflection and a high contrast ratio so that the vehicles can “read” the road.

How do you see your various products and equipment enhancing road safety?

Swarco has the broadest portfolio of road marking systems, from conventional paints via cold plastic and thermoplastic to preformed thermoplastic and tapes, produced in our factories in Germany, the United Kingdom, Romania, Australia, and the USA. To form a retroreflective system, glass beads are required. These are produced in our plants in Austria, Germany, and the United States to serve the world market.

Furthermore, the Company has extensive know-how in the application processes of the different systems with professional machinery. Our full portfolio of road marking systems and also intelligent transport systems – such as LED traffic lights, traffic controllers, software, highway and tunnel guidance systems, parking guidance systems, and even fleet management for public transport – contributes every day to better orientation and guidance, early warnings, improved traffic flows and consequently reduced emissions for better air quality. Special systems like colourful cycle path markings or tactile markings for the visually impaired protect the particularly vulnerable road users.

What challenges still persist in the road marking industry and how are these addressed?

We will continue to fight for the awareness at public authorities to keep up the necessary funding for maintaining road markings, which are still the most economic way to improve road safety. A problem we see in India is that there are reasonable high-performance criteria in the specifications of road markings, however these are often not or poorly implemented. More should be done in our eyes with regard to road assessment and quality control.

We also identify a lack of enforcement when there is little or no compliance with the specs. Unless there are consequences in these cases, nothing will change, and the quality of markings will often remain poor. The lack of enforcement by the authorities leads to the use of cheaper and non-standard products, which results in the poor performance of the markings and ultimately harms the reputation of our industry.

The India presence and action plan for expanding

Swarco has a successful cooperation with road marking specialist and paint producer Kataline in Nagpur. Our enduring collaboration is committed to improve safety on Indian roads with high quality markings and high-performance glass beads for optimal night-time visibility and road user safety.