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They’re not yet sure it’s a bright idea, but city officials are hoping to test the virtues of glowing road paint that could displace street lights in some parts of Calgary.

City officials are hoping to mount a pilot project this spring using special luminescent paint that lights up without shining headlights on it.

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Its testing and use would be focused on the city’s outskirts where there are fewer pedestrians, said Troy McLeod, the city’s director of roads.

“This would be used in more rural-like areas where we don’t currently have street lighting or pedestrian crossings or driveways,” he said.

One stretch of roadway that could qualify for the paint would be Macleod Trail south of 162nd Avenue S. toward the city limits, said McLeod.

It’s hoped the new approach could save the city money while maintaining or even enhancing nighttime driving safety, he said.

“It saves on electricity and infrastructure costs . . . it would improve safety and the visibility of lines,” said McLeod, adding the paint would be applied on the road’s side and centre lines.