Get to know Glass Road Stud, the clear glass found on road markings

When driving at night on the highway, of course you know by the light in the middle of the road. At first glance these objects resemble small lights that are installed for certain functions. So, what is the name of this object and what is its function? Come on, please take a look.

Glass road stud or commonly called road marking nails is one type of traffic road stud in a road safety system. If on a road with minimal lighting, usually the glass stud will reflect light from the vehicle's headlamp so that it becomes a benchmark or a sign for drivers not to cross the road markings.

Actually the shape of the glass stud is not completely round. If the glass stud is removed from the road, it looks like a bowl or one of the gamelan instruments, namely the bonang. For this type of traffic road stud, it is not only in the form of glass studs, there are also rectangular ones. The difference is that the square-shaped traffic road stud only provides visuals in two directions (front and back), while the glass stud is able to provide visuals in all directions (360 degrees) so it is more suitable to be placed at bends or crossroads on a level (not toll roads).

So, why do these objects reflect light?

Inside the glass stud there are retroreflective components. This component can reflect radiation (usually light) back to the source very well.

So, the glass stud is one of the work safety systems that functions as a light reflector to provide a marker for motorists not to pass through road markings with retroreflective components as components that work to reflect them.

If you accidentally or intentionally step on Glass Road Stud, it means you are violating the driving rules. Why is that? The GRS only functions as a restriction and is usually placed at the turn and please note that while at the turn, the driver is prohibited from overtaking vehicles from the opposite lane.