A pathway that glows in the dark

This innovation goes by the name Starpath and is the first pavement in the world powered by solar energy. Developed by Pro-Teq Surfacing UK Ltd, features an innovative repaving methodology that aims to help save energy, as a sustainable alternative to public lighting.

The Starpath consists in spraying a colourless transparent liquid product which may be applied to any existing surface, be it concrete, tarmac, timber or any hard stand substrate (solid base). The aggregate material absorbs and stores energy from ambient light (UV rays) during the day, then releases this energy at night allowing the particles to glow, lighting up.

Cambridge’s City Council made a pioneer application of Starpath over an existing pathway on  Christ's Pieces public space, a park in the city centre, crossed by pedestrians and cyclists throughout the day and night. This pathway measures 150 square metres, took only 30 minutes to spray the material on, and the surface was ready for use less than four hours after the job commenced. Apart from its cost effectiveness in implementation and maintenance, Starpath proved to be a sustainable, perfect alternative for cyclists and pedestrians, contributing to a safer path thanks to its non-slip and lighting properties.

Christ’s Pieces pathway before and after Starpath.

The environmental benefits outweigh the energy yield by reducing the brightness produced by past public lighting points, since the intensity generated by the pathway is lower, reducing environmental impact, and less interfering with overnight life cycles of animals and plants.

Although it is still in its testing phase, Pro-Teq is being contacted by governments from several countries interested in this form of clean lighting, as a sustainable alternative to other cities all over the world, where in a few hours some existing paths can be converted into Starpaths, helping improve the quality of public space and to reduce energy costs.

Watch the video that demonstrates the repaving process over a pathway in Christ's Pieces, Cambridge.

More at: http://www.pro-teqsurfacing.com