Active travel has seen a boom since the pandemic, with many people preferring to walk or cycle rather than drive.
The UK government and businesses alike, have been seen to increasingly implement plans to boost cycling and walking as a means to not only improve physical and mental health, but to also help tackle climate change and improve air quality.
Where habits have changed, the infrastructure needed to support the popularity of active travel is starting to be implemented.
Increased provision for cycle lanes and the introduction of low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) are becoming more of the norm, particularly in urban areas of London, Oxford and Bristol. However, in rural areas, there are a different set of challenges to overcome to make active travel more accessible for road users.
One such solution has been rolled out in County Durham, in the northeast of England to improve accessibility along a pathway connecting two rural villages. Durham County Council (DCC) approached Tarmac to find a solution to improve the visibility of a national cycling network route in South Hetton, known for being a former mining village in Durham.
The cycling route is used by overseas visitors, long-distance runners, walkers and cyclists as well as being very popular for local communities to go about everyday activities for travel and recreation. By day, the route has always been popular but difficulties in wayfinding during the hours of dark meant the path was off-putting for users in the darker evenings and nights.
After providing several bespoke options to the local authority, the team at Tarmac proposed a distinctive and innovative solution: glow in the dark pathways to eliminate the challenges faced, without the need for additional lighting, which can come at a higher cost, and consume electricity.
Tarmac’s ULTIGLOW uses a specialist asphalt system which is laid in the same way as a conventional asphalt surface and provides the same practicality and durability properties as that of a traditional hot rolled asphalt surface course. What sets ULTIGLOW apart is its bioluminescent chippings, perfect for brightening low lit areas and bringing footways to life at night. The chippings are laid by hand before being compacted, as would happen in regular asphalt laying.
The benefits of this system are numerous, while maintaining the same performance qualities of traditional asphalt – a popular solution requested by local authorities across the country. The new pathway is more structurally sound than the previously laid unbound material, thanks to the durability of the asphalt, meaning pedestrians and cyclists can be sure footed on their journeys along the pathway. The real difference is the glow in the dark nature of the asphalt resulting in rural pathways like this one in County Durham being much more accessible and visible to use throughout all hours of the day.
DCC was looking for a solution to improve visibility, without the intrusion of added streetlights. Using bioluminescent asphalt is a unique answer to this problem, which means that light pollution can be kept to a minimum, particularly important in rural areas such as South Hetton. Tarmac’s surfacing technology also means that, once installed, there is no additional energy required to light up the area, as would be the case with traditional street lighting. With the pressures of high energy costs and the transition to a net zero society, the new pathway will deliver low energy benefits for years to come.
When it comes to boosting accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, it’s positive to see more and more provision being put in place to support active travel. But building effective infrastructure should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, to make sure that it suits the needs of those who will use it most. There is no one size fits all approach that can be taken to ensure a durable, practical solution can be found in all scenarios. Early engagement from Durham County Council was crucial to ensure all parties had the time and opportunity to explore the most appropriate options available.
Sometimes finding the right approach can require thinking outside of the box to explore the best solution available, as opposed to what has ‘always been done’ – in this case being ULTIGLOW – boosting visibility and safety while keeping street lighting to a minimum.
