Mike Clinton
Introduction: What are cat’s eyes?
Cat’s eyes are road reflectors used to delineate lanes, mark the center of the road, and provide drivers with guidance at night or during low visibility conditions. They are small, round, reflective devices set into the road’s surface. The term cat’s eyes was coined because of their resemblance to the way a cat’s eyes reflect light in the dark.
Early history of road reflectors
Reflectors on roads have been around since the 1930s. Initially, they were made of glass and were manually placed on the road surface. These reflectors were not very durable, and they often broke due to the weight of vehicles. By the 1950s, road reflectors made of metal were introduced, but they too had their drawbacks. They were noisy, slippery when wet, and not very effective in low visibility conditions.
Percy Shaw and the invention of cat’s eyes
In 1933, Percy Shaw, a British engineer, invented the cat’s eyes. The idea struck him when he was driving home from a pub on a foggy night. The headlights of the car he was driving caught the reflection of two cat’s eyes, which were illuminated by the headlights of another vehicle parked on the side of the road. Shaw realized that a similar device could be used to mark lanes and provide drivers with guidance at night. He went on to patent his invention, and the first cat’s eyes were installed on a road in Yorkshire, England, in 1934.
The design and construction of cat’s eyes
Cat’s eyes are made of two main components: a rubber housing and a glass or plastic lens. The rubber housing is embedded into the road, leaving the lens exposed at the surface. The lens is designed to reflect light back to the driver, making it visible from a distance. The lens is also designed to be durable, able to withstand the weight of heavy vehicles and withstand harsh weather conditions.
How cat’s eyes work at night
The glass or plastic lens of a cat’s eye is designed to reflect the light from a vehicle’s headlights back to the driver. This reflection creates the illusion of a line of light, which appears to hover above the road surface. This line of light provides drivers with a clear indication of where the lane is, even in low visibility conditions.
The evolution of cat’s eyes over time
Over the years, cat’s eyes have undergone many changes and improvements. The original design had a single lens, but later designs featured multiple lenses for increased visibility. Some designs even incorporated LED lights for better visibility at night. Cat’s eyes have also become more durable over time, able to withstand harsh weather conditions and heavy traffic.
Cat’s eyes around the world
Cat’s eyes are now widely used around the world, with different countries having their own variations and adaptations. In the United States, they are called "raised pavement markers" and are typically made of ceramic or plastic. In Japan, they have been incorporated into sound barriers to create a more aesthetically pleasing design.
Variations and adaptations of cat’s eyes
In addition to different materials, cat’s eyes have also been adapted for different purposes. In some countries, they are used as a warning system for level crossings and railway tracks. In others, they have been used to mark cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings.
Modern innovations in cat’s eyes technology
Modern cat’s eyes now incorporate solar panels, which charge during the day and provide illumination at night. Some designs even incorporate sensors that can detect the speed and weight of passing vehicles.
Conclusion: The impact of cat’s eyes on road safety
Cat’s eyes have had a significant impact on road safety since their invention. They have provided drivers with clear guidance at night and in low visibility conditions, reducing the risk of accidents. As technology continues to improve, cat’s eyes will continue to evolve, making our roads safer and more efficient.