Phosphorescence in transport

It can easily be seen that the phosphorescent paint for car bodywork is not particularly developed: the advantages for signage on roads and highways all over the world, both for cars and motorcycles, do not have been retained, and this for the benefit of reflective devices. There's a simple and logical reason for this, and it's not for lack of effectiveness, as phosphorescent paints remain well visible all night long, and their lifespan can extend well beyond 50 years. ! So why isn't phosphorescent more widespread ?

Night visibility on the road, both of indications, signs, lines and of course of vehicles is a very important aspect, as it is an essential safety factor. In the dark, all cars automatically turn on their headlights. In the absence of public lighting, for example on country roads, it would be impossible to circulate without quickly ending up in the ditch, if retro-reflective markers were not present. This is now the world-recognized mode of signalling. We will see below that reflective equipment is present everywhere.

Some examples of phosphorescent paint for cars and motorcycles

No, it is not forbidden to travel with a car or motorbike painted with a luminescent special effect. No, it is not likely to dazzle other motorists.
In truth, it is even the opposite: in current urban conditions, darkness has completely disappeared, due to permanent public lighting. The right conditions are not met to make visible these special “visible” paints which need high levels of darkness. In the heart of Paris, at 3 o'clock in the morning, we can just notice that we have just seen a vehicle that caught our attention, because it seems more visible than the others.

This has not deterred some city dwellers, motorcycle or car owners, who have decided to take the plunge and apply phosphorescent paint. To counter the light pollution of big cities, some mischievous people have even installed real charging booths in their garages, with dozens of white light neon lights, to “excite” their phosphorescent car to the fullest and roam the streets of the city like a Baskerville hound. Others leave their phosphorescent motorcycle exposed to the sun all day to benefit from a maximum phosphorescent effect during the night.

The reflective in cities

It is found almost everywhere, on white lines in the form of micro-beads, on pedestrian crossings, on fluorescent vests, on direction signs, on trucks, car headlights. The reflective effect is undeniably more effective than phosphorescent in these particular situations !
But in the absence of light and headlights, what about ?

Some African roads will soon be phosphorescent

It is the project of several African countries, to mark out the paths and roads of the country with markers that are both phosphorescent and reflective. We understand that the phosphorescent is not effective under the headlights of vehicles, because logically when it is lit, it is no longer dark ! But it is really useful for pedestrians and cyclists, many of whom walk the traffic lanes without streetlights and who do not have lamps or headlights !

Phosphorescent car paint

UV lamps

How to make a phosphorescent Raptor paint ?