Patched road surfaces as camouflage

[cheb]

What research is there on this? I ask as one my local roads has been patched, very well, it's still smooth, to the extent it looks like a monochrome Mondrian. Tree lined and gently undulating, it's mildly challenging to spot small dull coloured vehicles at a distance.

[Horse]

What research is there on this? I ask as one my local roads has been patched, very well, it's still smooth, to the extent it looks like a monochrome Mondrian. Tree lined and gently undulating, it's mildly challenging to spot small dull coloured vehicles at a distance.

AFAIK, nothing on this specifically. Guessing, it's probably worse on overcast days, so low contrast lighting (strong highlights, reflections, shadows). Is it a straight section, so little lateral movement?

@cheb, any chance of a couple of pics?

@The Spin Doctor, know of anything related?


This local road is interesting:

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Screenshot_20260610-213042.png (364.98 KiB) Viewed 529 times

The slope means that vehicles coming down the hill tend be in a relatively fixed point on your field of view.

[Obviously worse if you're traveling uphill on the wrong side of the road ]

[cheb]

I'll try to remember on the way back from work tonight. If I can find my compass, or download one I'll take a bearing on direction too.

[Horse]

If I can find my compass, or download one I'll take a bearing on direction too.

Satnav / Google Maps ?

[Cousin Jack]

One of the reasons I prefer brightly coloured cars rather than grey shades which have been uber-popu;ar for a few years now.

[Horse]

One of the reasons I prefer brightly coloured cars rather than grey shades

Heard a great story along someone walking in front of a bus.

It was the third in a series of four double-deckers.

Plain red
Plain red
Multicoloured advertising
Plain red

Either acting as camouflage, or didn't fit his expectations of 'bus' so he saw 'gap'.

[The Spin Doctor]

Nothing I could find with a quick search. I can tell you what it's called though. Background-Matching & Crypsis: This type of camouflage relies on objects blending into their environment.

The classic research is on the Peppered Moth (Biston betularia). The moth changed colouration as a mutation became common during the late 1800s as the birch trees' bark became stained with soot - the darker varient was better able to blend in. As clean air has meant trees have gone back to natural bark colour, so the lighter form is dominant again.

By extension, it seems reasonable to infer that cars that match the tapestry of lighter and dark grey road surfaces might blend into the visual noise of the road surface.

[Horse]

Coincidentally, had a silver/grey BMW (car) following me this morning - in all the pissing rain. No lights on - in blended in horribly to the wet roads and gloom.

[Scootabout]

Perhaps someone could invent a paint for cars that changed shade according to the background?
No royalties required, just a mention, please

[demographic]

Patched road surface, smooth?

I thought the purpose of patching roads was to create cheap speedbumps.

[Horse]

If I can find my compass, or download one I'll take a bearing on direction too.

Satnav / Google Maps ?

@cheb ... Any images?

[cheb]

At last. This isn't the bit of road I first thought of but it's one I travel on frequently. It runs NNW-SSE

[Count Steer]

At last. This isn't the bit of road I first thought of but it's one I travel on frequently. It runs NNW-SSE

Road repairs by Mondrian Tarmac GmbH.

[Horse]

At last. This isn't the bit of road I first thought of but it's one I travel on frequently. It runs NNW-SSE

Road repairs by Mondrian Tarmac GmbH.

Ah, ze German answer to 'Boys from the black / grey / white stuff'?

[Horse]

it's mildly challenging to spot small dull coloured vehicles at a distance.

Straight road issue? ie Little to no lateral movement across your field of view.

Front on view means you'll be seeing mainly grill, lights, windscreen.

And that means that the colour of an oncoming vehicle is irrelevant, bonnet and roof (and screen) will be reflecting the sky.

Compound that those matching with road colour.

Perhaps

[cheb]

Could be. I'm usually not in a rush and the traffic is very light so not much need to overtake. The occasional pushbike,tractor or Simson moped(Faahsands of 'em).

[Horse]

Have a look the next time the situation occurs.

It may be weather dependent too, for the reflections and shadows will be more camouflagey (technical term) in overcast conditions.

Sunlight would give very bright reflections and strong shadows.

And strong sunlight early & late might give lengthy shadows which might emphasise movement as they flick along the roadside.