Environmental hazards

Sun Glare Intensity Maps

Models sun trajectory alignment with road geometry. Identifies which segments face direct sun exposure by time of day and season, and flags periods of severe glare risk.

Tees Valley · Monday 2 March 2026 · AM and PM glare windows
Severe glare (≤5° alignment)
Moderate glare
Low glare
No exposure

Explanation

The map shows sun glare exposure across the road network, calculated for a single day. Solar position is computed for the selected date and location, then compared against the geometry of each road segment to identify where drivers travelling in a given direction will face direct sun exposure.

When the sun is closely aligned with the road geometry, drivers face the most acute glare conditions. The map colours segments by glare severity across the selected time window, from no exposure through to the most severe alignment where visibility is significantly impaired.

Seasonal patterns matter significantly. The autumn and spring morning peaks produce particularly acute glare on east-facing routes, while the evening peak creates hazardous conditions for westbound roads. The time slider allows exploration of how glare windows shift across the full day.

Our analysis indicates that sun glare is associated with a materially elevated collision risk. This layer can be overlaid with spatial risk scores to identify high-priority segments for investigation.
Glare measure
Solar alignment
Solar azimuth and elevation vs road geometry
Collision uplift
Statistically significant
Stats19 records a materially higher collision rate under bright sun and glare lighting conditions compared to standard daylight
Coverage
Any network
Any location, any date range

Apply to your network

Sun glare maps can be produced for any road network and any date range. Useful for seasonal safety reviews and audit support.