The Dominican Republic has a road network of over 18,000 kilometres, connecting major cities with rural areas. However, due to insufficient funding and maintenance resources, approximately 60% of roads suffer from issues such as damaged road surfaces and unclear traffic signs. According to statistics from the country’s transportation department, over 8,000 traffic accidents occur annually due to inadequate road safety facilities, with approximately 35% of these accidents occurring at night or under adverse weather conditions. Outdated road infrastructure not only threatens public safety but also hinders the development of industries such as tourism and agriculture.
To improve road safety conditions, the Dominican government has partnered with the International Road Safety Organisation to launch a road safety upgrade programme. The reflective road stud project, as a key component of this initiative, aims to reduce traffic accidents by enhancing the clarity of road signage. This project not only directly lowers accident rates but also contributes to optimising logistics and transportation efficiency, creating better conditions for regional economic development.
The project team conducted a three-month field survey of major road sections in the Dominican Republic, focusing on analysing the characteristics of accident-prone areas. Through data analysis, it was found that mountainous curves, intersections, and sections with unclear lane boundaries had the highest accident rates. Based on this, it was determined to prioritise the installation of reflective road studs in these areas, with a total planned installation of 120,000 units.
After thorough comparison, the project ultimately selected UKEN’s high-performance reflective road studs. These studs feature a high-strength engineering plastic casing, offering excellent impact resistance and wear resistance. Their built-in micro-prism reflective film produces extremely strong reflective effects when illuminated by vehicle headlights, with nighttime visibility exceeding 300 metres. UKEN stood out among numerous suppliers due to its comprehensive product certification system (e.g., CE, RoHS certification) and customised service capabilities.
The construction plan established strict technical standards: road studs are installed at 15-metre intervals using epoxy resin adhesive to ensure tensile strength of 3.5 MPa. The project team collaborated with the local construction team to provide professional training for 50 workers, covering topics such as road stud installation procedures and quality inspection criteria. Additionally, a detailed construction schedule was established to ensure the project progressed smoothly.
The project was implemented in three phases: the first phase prioritised the installation of road studs on major roads around the capital, Santo Domingo; the second phase covered coastal tourist routes and mountain roads; and the third phase focused on improving the remaining rural roads. After each phase, a phase-specific acceptance inspection was conducted to ensure that the construction quality met the standards.
During the construction process, the project team established a strict quality monitoring system. Random inspections were conducted daily on the installed road studs, with inspection items including installation firmness and reflective performance. After the project was completed, a third-party testing agency was invited to conduct a comprehensive acceptance inspection, and the overall pass rate reached 98.7%, successfully passing the acceptance inspection.
Throughout the project implementation, close communication was maintained with the Dominican Republic’s transportation authorities to coordinate traffic control measures for the construction sections. Additionally, active collaboration was established with community organisations to enhance public understanding and support through outreach activities. For any unforeseen issues during construction, such as temporary road closures, swift responses and resolutions were implemented.
One year after project completion, statistical data showed that the accident rate on the relevant road sections decreased by 32%, with a 41% reduction in nighttime accidents. On mountainous curves equipped with reflective road studs, vehicle lane departure accidents decreased by 58%, significantly enhancing road safety.
The reduction in traffic accidents has led to a decrease in direct economic losses, with annual savings of approximately 12 million USD in medical and insurance costs. Additionally, improved road safety has enhanced logistics and transportation efficiency, reducing transportation costs by approximately 15%, thereby effectively promoting the circulation of local agricultural products and tourist goods.
The project has received extensive coverage in local media, with the public reporting a significant improvement in nighttime driving safety. The Dominican Minister of Transportation publicly stated: ‘The reflective road stud project is an important milestone in road safety upgrades and provides valuable experience for future similar projects.’
The project’s success was attributed to three key factors: first, the use of high-quality reflective road stud products ensured stable performance; second, scientific planning and strict construction management ensured the project was completed on time and to specification; third, close collaboration among multiple parties established an efficient implementation mechanism. The outstanding performance of UKEN products played a central role in this success.
For road safety projects in other countries and regions, this case study offers three important lessons: first, thorough preliminary research is essential to accurately identify project requirements; second, selecting a reliable supplier is critical; and third, establishing good working relationships with local teams is essential for the smooth implementation of the project. Additionally, construction plans should be flexibly adjusted based on regional characteristics.
The successful implementation of the reflective road stud project has significantly improved road safety in the Dominican Republic, bringing positive impacts on local social and economic development. This achievement not only demonstrates the significant value of reflective road studs in road safety but also lays the foundation for future upgrades in intelligent transportation infrastructure. If you are planning a road safety improvement project, please feel free to contact UKEN. We offer extensive project experience and high-quality product solutions, providing you with a one-stop service from product selection, construction guidance to after-sales maintenance.
