Reduce accidents on highways and roadways with Glare-Flex® Anti-Glare Panel System
As a manufacturer of road safety solutions, we at Delnorth understand the importance of providing effective products that improve driving conditions and reduce accidents on highways and roadways. Glare caused by sunlight and artificial lighting can be a major hazard for drivers, resulting in visual distractions, reduced visibility, and potentially deadly accidents. In Australia, glare is a recognised contributing factor to serious road incidents, especially on rural and divided highways where median barriers are absent or unscreened. According to the National Road Safety Partnership Program (NRSPP), not being able to see the road for just 2 seconds when travelling at 50km/h doubles the risk of a crash, and at highway speeds, that risk increases dramatically.
That’s why we have developed Glare-Flex®, an innovative flexible steel panel system that offers an ideal solution for glare-affected areas on highways, motorways, freeways, and tollways.
What is Glare-Flex®?
Glare-Flex® is a highly durable, impact-resistant anti-glare panel system that can be applied to concrete barriers and guardrails. It has a specially formulated reinforced fibre base that makes it highly resistant to impact and deformation. This makes it ideal for use in areas that experience high traffic volume, as well as for applications that require a high level of flexibility.
The panels are manufactured from a steel material with a reinforced fibre composite base, engineered to withstand repeated vehicle impacts and weather conditions. Unlike rigid steel panel systems, Glare-Flex will return to its original shape after minor impacts, minimising maintenance requirements and overall costs for road authorities.
Glare-Flex® Product Specifications
Specification |
Detail |
|---|---|
| Material | Flexible steel panel systems with reinforced fibre composite base |
| Flexibility | Bends over 90 degrees without cracking or breaking |
| Application | Concrete barriers, guardrails, median barriers |
| Colour Options | Blue, Orange, Green, Yellow, White, Purple, Dark Green |
| Suitable environments | Highways, motorways, freeways, toll roads |
| Installation | Engineered for easy installation and low maintenance |
Benefits of Glare-Flex®
The Glare-Flex® steel panel system is an ideal solution for glare-affected highways, motorways, freeways, and tollways. It offers several benefits, including:
- Improved visibility for drivers
- Reduced visual distractions caused by glare
- Reduced risk of accidents
- Impact-resistant and highly durable
- Available in multiple colours
- Easy to install and maintain
- Bends to over 90 degrees
- Returns to shape after minor impacts
Where Glare-Flex® is Used
Glare-Flex® is used across a wide range of road environments where glare poses a serious risk to drivers. It is particularly effective in the following applications:
Highways and Motorways
Freeway onramps
Tollways
Rural roads
How Does Glare-Flex® Reduce Accident Risk Compared to Traditional Anti-Glare Solutions?
Glare screening only works if it stays in place and functions as intended. Traditional rigid anti-glare steel panel systems can crack, shatter, or dislodge on impact, leaving gaps in glare protection exactly where hazards are located. Glare-Flex® is designed to maintain continuous, reliable glare screening even in high-impact environments.
Factor |
Glare-Flex |
Rigid Panel Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Glare coverage after impact | Returns to shape after minor impacts, maintaining continuous glare screening | May crack or shatter, creating gaps that expose drivers to glare |
| Performance on curved roads | Bends over 90 degrees, maintaining coverage on curves and on-ramps | Limited flexibility can result in reduced glare protection on curves |
| Consistency of protection over time | Low maintenance requirements keep systems in place and performing consistently | Requires more frequent replacement, increasing risk of coverage gaps |
| Suitability for high traffic environments | Impact-resistant design maintains structure in high-speed, high-volume areas | More vulnerable to damage in demanding traffic conditions |
At Delnorth, we understand that safety on highways and roads is a top priority for government and State and Territory road authorities. That is why we have developed the Glare-Flex® steel panel systems to provide a reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable solution for glare-affected areas on highways, motorways, freeways, and tollways.
To find out whether Glare-Flex® is the right solution for your road environment, or to discuss your project requirements with our team, contact Delnorth today on 1300 881 039 or email sales@delnorth.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Glare-Flex® steel panel system Australian-made?
Yes. Delnorth is a proud Australian manufacturer of roadside safety products, and Glare-Flex® is designed and manufactured locally to meet the demands of Australian road conditions. This means faster lead times, local technical support, and products built for the environments they operate in.
What types of barriers does the Glare-Flex® steel panel system work with?
Glare-Flex® is designed to be used with concrete median barriers and W-Beam guardrails. The system suits both straight road sections and curved roads, making it adaptable for a wide range of highway and motorway configurations.
What happens to the Glare-Flex® steel panel system after a vehicle accident?
The reinforced fibre composite base gives Glare-Flex® increased impact resistance and flexibility. After a minor impact, the panel is designed to return to its original shape. This is important for road safety, as it reduces gaps developing in glare coverage between scheduled maintenance visits.
Will the Glare-Flex® Anti-Glare panel system work for curved road sections?
Yes. One of the key benefits of Glare-Flex® over rigid options is its ability to bend over 90 degrees without cracking or deforming. Curved sections of roads, such as freeway on-ramps, interchange loops, and winding rural highways, are often higher-risk glare environments, and maintaining continuous panel coverage in these areas is important for driver safety.
How do I know if a road section needs a Glare-Flex® Anti-Glare panel system?
Glare risk assessments can typically be conducted by road authorities as part of road safety audits. Key signs you may need an anti-glare steel panel system can include:
- High crash rates during dawn or dusk
- East or west-facing roads
- Divided roads with unscreened median barriers
- Community or operator reports of glare-related near misses
Delnorth works closely with road authorities and contractors to determine the best possible glare screening solutions for problem areas. You can explore our full anti-glare product range or get in touch with our team to discuss your specific requirements.
How does reducing glare contribute to road safety outcomes?
Glare reduces a driver’s ability to see road hazards, judge distances, and react in time. On high-speed roads, even a brief reduction in visibility significantly increases stopping distances and the risk of rear-end or head-on collisions. Anti-glare screening addresses this by blocking the light source before it reaches the driver, rather than relying on the driver to react. Glare-Flex® is designed to provide consistent, reliable screening across the full length of a treated road section.