Robert Vaughan of Harlow, Essex, has a simple but useful idea for making
roads and motorways safer (GB 2 344 146): make crash barriers glitter like
jewels. The metal barriers can be hard to see in poor conditions, especially
where the road curves and there is no lighting. The solution, he suggests, is to
modify the bolts that hold the barriers in place. The head of each bolt is
fitted with a cap studded with glass beads—like cheap jewellery. The
bevelled faces of the fake jewels reflect light in all directions, making the
barriers glitter in cars’ headlights.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Technology
Why full-fledged quantum computers might always be five years away
Comment
Technology
Quantum computers are starting to become useful as scientific tools
News
Technology
OpenAI’s hacking agent went rogue. Should we be worried?
News
Technology
China is trying to regulate relationships with AI – can it work?
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles