Clearview Intelligence has launched a nationwide challenge inviting local and highway authorities to nominate sites where solar-powered road studs could improve safety after dark or reduce dependence on conventional street lighting.
Three successful schemes will each receive up to 100 SolarLite active road studs, supplied with standard installation free of charge. The SolarLite Impact Challenge is being run with the Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG) and is open to authorities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including National Highways and Transport Scotland.
Safety and carbon reduction
Applicants are being asked to identify locations where road safety is a recurring concern, particularly at night, or where ageing lighting infrastructure is costly to operate and maintain. Submissions will be assessed equally on their potential to improve road safety and deliver carbon or cost efficiencies.
SolarLite studs collect energy during daylight and use it to power integrated LEDs, providing illuminated guidance without a mains electricity connection. The challenge builds on work by East Riding of Yorkshire Council under ADEPT Live Labs 2, which has examined active road studs as a way of reducing reliance on conventional street lighting at suitable sites.
Karl Rourke, Street Lighting Service Manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “Our work in East Riding has demonstrated the potential of SolarLite active road studs to provide clear guidance after dark while reducing reliance on conventional street lighting. Assessing the tech in real-world scenarios has helped us better understand its potential.”
Alastair King, Head of SolarLite at Clearview Intelligence, said: “Bring us a location where road safety after dark remains a concern or where aging street lighting is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. We will work with the winning authorities to select the right SolarLite product and layout for the job then help you assess its impact over time.”
Susanne Ingham, Relationship Manager at LCRIG, said: “The learning from this Impact Challenge will extend beyond the three winning authorities. Sharing practical experience and robust evidence will help other highway teams assess where innovative technology could work on their own networks.”
Applications open until November 2026
Authorities will need to provide a short description of their proposed location, the issue they want to address and the outcomes they expect. A judging panel made up of representatives from ADEPT, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, LCRIG, SolarLite and the Department for Transport will assess the entries.
The submission deadline is 30 November 2026. The three successful authorities are expected to be notified before Christmas 2026, with installations planned between January and March 2027.