Clearview Intelligence, in collaboration with the WJ Group, has begun live road trials on a new ‘click-in, click-out’ solar road stud.
Clearview said the innovative new design of its latest solar-powered Active Road Stud – the SolarLite Click – enables it to be fixed as an inset within a durable cast iron housing, which is then installed into the road surface.
It said this provides all the benefits of solar-powered LED road studs, such improving visibility and as a sustainable alternative for street lighting, whilst offering additional benefits, including clicking into a standard P09 cast iron housing unit.
This means it can be easily removed and replaced when necessary, such as at the end of the SolarLite Click’s natural life, said to be more than eight years, without replacing the entire housing.
Because the stud is housed in a standard product already used across the network, it could be retrofitted to existing housings.
Clearview said this standardisation means the application process is well understood and practised, enabling installation rates that match other products used within the industry.
Client relationship director Andy Salotti said: ‘The SolarLite Click will enhance road visibility and instil a sense of safety and confidence in drivers during night-time hours. Independent research has shown that drivers rely heavily on road lining and studs for night-time navigate.
‘We are thrilled to be collaborating with WJ to introduce this industry-driven active road stud to the market, in anticipation of the benefits it will bring to all road users.’
After an extensive development programme and testing on WJ’s Accelerated Product Tester, the stud has now been deployed for live road trials in the UK to meet the requirements for Department for Transport BS EN1463 type approval.
The two organisations said they are confident of achieving approval in February 2025.
WJ Group innovation director Martin Webb said: ‘Helping to create safe, sustainable journeys for everyone is what we want to do as a company.
‘It’s one of the reasons why we’ve been so excited to work with Clearview Intelligence on this project as it helps us achieve this through the improvement in road safety and sustainability.’
