WO2011039720A2

WO2011039720A2 - A structured element for horizontal and/or lateral road signalling

Info

Publication number: WO2011039720A2
Application number: PCT/IB2010/054415
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giorgio Corradi
Original assignee: Giorgio Corradi
Priority date: 2009-10-02
Filing date: 2010-09-30
Publication date: 2011-04-07
Also published as: WO2011039720A3; ITMO20090241A1

Abstract

A structured element for horizontal and/or lateral signalling, comprising: a support layer (2), provided with a longitudinal axis (x), which overall envelops a lie surface (SG); a back-reflecting layer (3), associated to the support layer (2); a plurality of reliefs (4), parallel to one another, which project with respect to the lie surface (SG) on a side thereof where the back-reflecting layer (3) is located, each relief (4) being orientated in an inclined direction (y) with respect to the longitudinal axis (x). The support layer (2) exhibits a mesh structure.

Description

A Structured Element for Horizontal and/or Lateral Road Signalling.

Description

Technical Field

Horizontal signalling commonly used on roads comprises the signs or signals which are arranged on the asphalt to inform motorists of the margins of a lane or carriageway, the presence of a stop signal or a give way signal, or a compulsory direction indication, or advice relating to directions or the like.

Background Art

A horizontal signal is fundamentally constituted by a representation of the signal traced on the asphalt with a paint provided with slight back- reflecting and/or "cat's eye" refractory properties. These paints exhibit poor luminosity, and in particular they are absolutely inadequate in the presence of fog or even slight damp, apart from being extremely slippery. A further drawback of the horizontal signals of known type, which makes it necessary to refresh the painted signals frequently, is the poor duration over time of the already-precarious reflecting characteristics of the paints used. In order at least partly to remedy the poor back-reflecting and refractory properties of the road signals realised using paint, inserts of modest dimensions have been proposed, which are sunk into the asphalt such as to partially project above the road surface. These inserts exhibit at least a front surface, facing towards the advancement direction of the vehicles, which exhibit good back-reflecting characteristics. These inserts are however relatively expensive, to the point that they are not widely used. In publication WO2008/126109, in the name of the present Applicant, a structured element for lateral and/or horizontal road signalling is described, which obviates the majority of the above-mentioned problems. The structured element described in the above publication, however, exhibits a not insignificant drawback. The structured element comprises a support layer constituted by a thin sheet of annealed aluminium. Very frequently, after a relatively short working life, it has been found that the support layer peels off from the other components of the structured element, especially in the case of horizontal signals which are subjected to the passage of motor vehicles.

In structures arranged at the sides of the road surface, such as guard rails, New Jersey barriers and trees, the above-cited structured elements are shaped such as to define a plurality of reliefs, parallel to one another, which project with respect to the surface to be signalled. These reliefs comprise a first and a second lateral surface, joined to one another by a top surface. Each structured element is associated to the surface to be signalled such that the reliefs are orientated approximately vertically and project transversally from the surface to be signalled. At least a lateral surface of the reliefs which project transversally to the surface to be signalled is thus facing towards the advancement direction of the vehicle and the light beam projected by the headlights such that the angle of incidence of the light beam, or a fraction thereof, on the lateral surface of the reliefs, is relatively low. In the absence of the reliefs the angle of incidence of the light beam projected by the headlights would be very large as the structured elements, especially in the case of the application of on a guard rail and New Jersey barriers, would be in a practically parallel position to the direction of the light beam projected by the headlights and there would therefore be a poor reflection of light towards the driver. In known-type structured elements, the projecting reliefs are identical, in the sense that the inclination of the lateral surfaces of each relief coincides substantially with the inclination of the lateral surfaces of all the other reliefs. The consequence of this characteristic is that the field of variation of the optimal angle of incidence of the light beam projected by the headlights with respect to the structured element is very narrow.

When a vehicle is in motion on a tract of straight road flanked on the left by a guard-rail, the light beam projected by the vehicle headlights illuminates a portion of determined extension of the guard rail. Internally of this portion only few reliefs, which are at a certain distance in front of the vehicle, are struck by the light beams which strike on the lateral surfaces of the reliefs at a relatively small angle. Consequently only a small fraction of the light beam is effectively reflected towards the driver. The other reliefs, especially those in the most lateral position with respect to the vehicle, are struck by more greatly-inclined light rays and thus do not effectively reflect the light beams towards the driver. The trajectory of the road is therefore poorly traced to the driver's eyes as only a small number of back-reflecting reliefs effectively reflect the incident light in arrival from the vehicle headlights.

The aim of the present invention is to illustrate a structured element for horizontal and/or lateral signalling which enables realisation of horizontal and/or lateral signals that are highly visible and effective, even in conditions of poor visibility (rain and/or fog, darkness) which are also economical and easily associable to road surfaces and which offer greater resistance and duration with respect to the devices of known type and to paints usually used in realising horizontal signals.

Disclosure of Invention Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will more fully emerge from the detailed description that follows, made here with reference to the accompanying figures of the drawings, provided by way of non- limiting example, in which:

figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a structured element of the present invention;

figure 2 is a front view of the structured element of figure 1;

figure 3 is an example of a use of the structured element of the present invention, for realising border lines on lanes in a one-way street;

figure 4 is an example of a use of the structured element of the present invention, for realising border lines on lanes in a two-way street;

figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the structured element for lateral signalling of the present invention;

figure 6 is a schematic vertical elevation of the structured element for vertical signalling of figure 5, with the detail denoted by 10 in figure 5 removed.

With reference to the figures of the drawings, the structured element 1 of the present invention can be used both for horizontal signalling and for lateral signalling, i.e. for signalling the presence of structures projecting upwards at the margins of the road surface. These structures comprise guard-rails, New Jersey barriers, poles or even trees which are situated in the immediate vicinity of a road.

The structured element 1 comprises a support layer 2, provided with a longitudinal axis X, which overall envelopes a lie surface SG. A back- reflecting layer 3 is associated to the support layer 2.

The back-reflecting layer 3 is of a type having a microprism structure. The connection of the back-reflecting layer 3 to the support layer 2 is obtainable by means of a gluing process, using a solvent-free polyurethane resin of the self-polymerising type. The back-reflecting layer 3 is first coated on the rear surface with a layer of solvent-free polyurethane resin on which a coating of primer is then spread. The support layer 2 is then applied to the primer. When the polyurethane resin completes polymerisation, the support layer 2 is solidly constrained to the back-reflecting layer 3.

In the preferred embodiment of the product, the support layer 2 is conformed as a mesh. An example of the support layer 2 which has shown itself to be particularly suitable for the present invention is an electro- welded mesh made of aluminium. The advantages connected to the use of a mesh support structure will emerge with more clarity in the following.

The structured element 1 further comprises a plurality of reliefs 4, parallel to one another, which project from the lie surface SG from the side thereof exhibiting the back-reflecting layer 3. Each of the reliefs is oriented in a direction y which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis x. The orientation direction y is preferably perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis x and the angle a formed by the longitudinal axis x and the orientation direction y of the reliefs is approximately 90°.

Each relief 4 exhibits a trapezoid profile in transversal section, open at the larger base, which is provided with two lateral surfaces 4a, 4b, which extend from the lie surface SG, converge and are joined at a top surface 4c. A portion of base PB of the lie surface SG ideally closes the trapezoid profile. The lateral surfaces, together with the portions of back-reflecting layer associated thereto, are therefore arranged transversally with respect to the lie surface SG, such that at least one of them, for example a first 4a of the lateral surfaces, faces towards the direction the vehicle is advancing in. With reference to a transversal section of the structured element 1, each relief preferably exhibits a height of about 6mm. The maximum width (i.e. the maximum distance separating the lateral surfaces 4a, 4b) is about 10 mm, while the projections of the laterals surfaces 4a, 4b on the portions of base PB are about 3 mm.

The reliefs 4 are preferably alternated with smaller reliefs 41 which are parallel thereto. These smaller reliefs 41 are therefore orientated in directions y that are parallel to the orientation direction of the reliefs 4. Each of the smaller reliefs 41, similarly to the reliefs 4, exhibits in transversal section a trapezoid profile, open at the larger base, which is provided with two lateral surfaces 41a, 41b which extend from the lie surface SG and converge towards one another, being joined by a top surface 41c. A portion of base PB of the lie surface SG ideally closes the trapezoid profile. The lateral surfaces, together with the back-reflecting layer associated thereto, are arranged transversally with respect to the lie surface SG such that at least one of them, for example a first 41a of the lateral surfaces, is facing in the advancement direction of the vehicle. Each relief preferably exhibits a height of about 3mm. The maximum width (i.e. the maximum distance separating the lateral surfaces 41a, 41b) is about 5mm.

From a constructional point of view, the structured element 1 comprises a filler layer 5 associated to the support layer 2 on the opposite side with respect to the back-reflecting layer 3. The filler layer 5 fills the recesses 6 present in the support layer 2 on the opposite side to the reliefs 4. The filler layer 5 stabilises and increases the resistance of the reliefs 4 with respect to the crushing stresses they are subjected to by effect of the passage of the motor vehicles.

In a preferred embodiment of the structured element, the filler layer 5 is made of polyurethane resin. The realisation of the support layer 2 in a mesh form makes the anchoring of the layer of filler 5 to the support layer 2 itself extremely robust, as well as to the back-reflecting layer 3. The filler layer 5 is in contact with both the support layer 2 and, in the zones left uncovered by the mesh structure of the support layer, with the primer coating applied on the back-reflecting layer 3. The anchoring of the polyurethane resin forming the filler layer 5 to the primer applied to the back-reflecting layer 3 is extremely solid and durable.

A further important advantage offered by the presence of the support layer 2 in mesh form is that the mesh shape of the support layer 2 is at least partially also impressed on the back-reflecting layer 3, thus interrupting its regularity. In this way the optical properties of reflecting and refraction of the back-reflecting layer 3 are considerably increased.

The filler layer 5 preferably comprises corundum powder which has the function of increasing the resistance and roughness of the filler layer 5. The presence of the corundum powder, which as mentioned increases the roughness of the filler layer 5, causes a considerable increase in the friction coefficient between the structured element 1 and the road surface. In this way the structured element 1, once constrained to the surface of the road, maintains its position stably.

The connection between the element 1 and the road surface can be performed by gluing or by use of rivets or in other ways. The presence of the corundum powder offers a further important advantage: in a case in which the structured element wears out or is damaged, and in particular in a case in which the back-reflecting layer and the support layer are torn, exposing the filler layer 5, there is still the certainty that the vehicle tyres will enjoy excellent adherence by effect of the roughness of the filler layer 5.

The adherence of the tyres on the back-reflecting layer 3 is significantly increased by means of a coating of anti-skid pain, comprising rubber, sand or corundum, arranged on the back-reflecting layer 3, in particular on the top surfaces of the reliefs.

The polyurethane resin can advantageously be pigmented such that in the case of lacerations of the support layer 2 and the back-reflecting layer 3, at least a coloured part is still exposed, preferably of the same colour as the back-reflecting layer.

In order to increase the visibility of the structured element, the reliefs 4 can be provided with luminous devices 31 , preferably LEDs, arranged on at least some of the lateral surfaces 4a, 4b of the reliefs.

The luminous devices are preferably located on the lateral surfaces of the reliefs 4 which are facing towards the advancement direction of the vehicles. As required by some norms and standards, it could be arranged that the luminous devices on the right side of the road project lights of a different colour with respect to the devices located on the left side of the road.

In a preferred embodiment, the luminous devices 31 comprise one or more LEDs partially inserted in special through-openings afforded on the lateral surfaces of the reliefs 4. The LEDs 31 are connected to a power supply (not visible in figures from 1 to 4) which can conveniently be housed internally of the relief 4, sunken into the filler layer 5.

The power supply to the LEDs can advantageously be achieved by means of batteries supplied by at least a photovoltaic panel 33. The photovoltaic panel 33 can be located in the spaces between the reliefs 4 and the smaller reliefs 41 , in particular if the structured element is used for horizontal signalling, or in the place of the smaller reliefs 41 if the structured element is used for lateral signalling.

The lighting of the LEDs can be managed by an electronic circuit. The lighting of the LEDs is preferably performed according to a predetermined intermittence, for example at intervals of between 0.8 and 1 second. The electronic circuit can also comprise a dusk switch which enables the LEDs to be switched on only when the environmental light falls below a predetermined level. The dusk switch performs its action even when it detects the light projected from the headlights of a motor vehicle, by commanding the extinguishing of the LEDs with a predetermined delay. This means that in fluent traffic conditions the LEDs remain lit during the transit of vehicles even though the dusk switch is being struck by the light coming from the headlights. In blocked traffic conditions, in which the dust switch is presumably illuminated continuously by the light coming from the headlights, the LEDs turn off after a certain time interval, for example about 20 seconds, enabling energy for illuminating the LEDs to be saved. In any case, even with the LEDs off, the visibility of the structured element remains very good thanks to the presence of the back-reflecting layer 3. The structured element of the present invention can be realised by means of the following procedure.

The back-reflecting layer 3 is first spread on the rear surface of a layer of solvent-free polyurethane resin, on which a coating of primer is then spread. The support layer 2 is applied on the coating of primer. When the polyurethane resin completes polymerisation the support layer 2 is solidly constrained to the back-reflecting layer 3.

Following catalysis of the resin layer connecting the support layer 2 and the back-reflecting layer 3 the layers 4, 41 can be pressed onto the support layer 2, for example by sliding the support layer with the back-reflecting layer attached between a pair of cylinders. A first of these cylinders bears, in positive relief, the projecting shape of the reliefs, while the other bears a series of recesses which reproduce, in negative relief, the shape of the reliefs. The two cylinders roll without dragging on one another and are arranged with an interaxis which is such that in the zone of minimum distance between the surfaces of the two rollers in which the support layer 2 and the back-reflecting layer 3 transit, each positive relief is arranged at least partially internally of a corresponding recess.

When the reliefs 4, 41 are completed, the filler layer 5, already described herein above, to which the powder corundum is added, is laid. The filler layer is thus in contact with both the support layer 2 and, in the zones left uncovered by the support layer 2, in the layer of primer arranged on the back-reflecting layer. In this way, the anchoring of the filler layer 5 to the back-reflecting layer 3 is extremely solid and durable over time.

A layer of textile can be laid on the filler layer 5, at least partially internally of the filler layer 5. More powder corundum can then be sprinkled in the filler layer 5. The layer of textile has the function of increasing the resistance and stability of the filler layer 5 and also increasing the robustness of the anchoring of the filler layer 5 to the support layer 2.

For realising a horizontal signal, for example a lateral strip delimiting a carriageway or a street lane as illustrated in figures 3 and 4, a structured element 1 is shaped in the form of a strip having a longitudinal axis x and is associated to the surface of the road in a lateral position with respect to the carriageway or lane with the longitudinal axis x orientated in a parallel direction to the development direction of the road.

The figures 5 and 6 show the structured element 1 of the present invention in a particularly suitable form for lateral signalling.

The structured element 1 comprises a support layer 2 which overall envelops a lie surface SG and is shaped such as to define a plurality of reliefs 4 which develop parallel to one another and project with respect to the lie surface SG. These reliefs, which in transversal section exhibit an approximately trapezoid section, comprise a first 4a and a second 4b lateral surface joined to one another by a top surface 4c. Portions of base PB of the lie surface SG, comprised between the two lateral surfaces, ideally close the trapezoid border of the reliefs, thus defining the larger base. For each relief, it is further possible to define a median plane PM passing through the halfway line of the base portions. Preferably the first and the second lateral surfaces of each relief are inclined and arranged symmetrically with respect to the median plane of the relief.

The structured element of the invention can be provided with smaller reliefs 41 interposed between the reliefs 4. The smaller reliefs in particular are lower in height than the reliefs 4 and are symmetrical with respect to the median planes PM thereof. The height of the smaller reliefs 41 is preferably about 6mm, while the height of the reliefs 4 is about 10mm. The support layer 2 is preferably constituted by a continuous layer of annealed aluminium. This material offers a relatively high resistance in combination with a high degree of malleability.

The support layer 2 has been represented in a flat configuration in which the lie surface SG is equally flat. In any case the technical characteristics of the structured element 1 do not change if the lie surface SG for example is curved.

A back-reflecting layer 3 is associated to the surface of the support layer 2 on the side from which the reliefs 4 project, with the back-reflecting surface 3 obviously facing externally. The back-reflecting layer 3 is a structure of microprisms. The connection of the back-reflecting layer 3 to the support layer 2 is obtainable by means of a gluing procedure using a solvent-free polyurethane resin of a self-polymerising type. The support layer 2 is first spread with a layer of primer on which a layer of solvent-free polyurethane resin is spread. The back-reflecting layer 3 is then applied on the layer of solvent-free polyurethane resin. When the polyurethane resin completes polymerisation, the support layer 2 is solidly constrained to the back-reflecting layer 3. At this point the reliefs can be impressed on the support layer 2 by means of plastic deformation. The deformation can be obtained by sliding the support layer, with the back-reflecting layer attached, between a pair of cylinders. A first of these cylinders bears, in positive relief, the projecting shape of the reliefs, while the other bears a series of recesses which reproduce, in negative relief, the shape of the reliefs. The two cylinders roll without dragging on one another and are arranged with an interaxis which is such that in the zone of minimum distance between the surfaces of the two rollers in which the support layer 2 and the back-reflecting layer 3 transit, each positive relief is arranged at least partially internally of a corresponding recess.

At least some of the lateral surfaces 4a, 4b of the reliefs 4 are provided with luminous devices 31 , 32. The luminous devices considerably increase the visibility of the structured element, as they emit a light radiation which does not depend on the angle of incidence of the light rays projected by a vehicle's headlights.

The luminous devices are preferably located on the lateral surfaces of the reliefs 4 which are facing towards the advancement direction of the vehicles. In a two-way road, as required by some norms and standards, it could be arranged that the luminous devices on the right side of the road project lights of a different colour with respect to the devices located on the left side of the road.

As in the case of the structured element illustrated in figures 1 and 2, the luminous devices 31 preferably comprise one or more LEDs partially inserted in special through-openings afforded on the lateral surfaces of the reliefs 4. The LEDs 31 are connected to a power supply which can conveniently be housed internally of the relief 4. As already described with reference to the structured element 1 illustrated in figures 1 and 2, the power supply unit 32 is a battery supplied by at least a photovoltaic panel 33. In this case too, the photovoltaic panel 33 can be located in the spaces between the reliefs 4 and the smaller reliefs 41, or they can be arranged in the place of the smaller reliefs 41.

In order to increase the resistance of the structured element, the support layer 2 is folded longitudinally along the borders thereof such as to define a flaps 2a, 2b, illustrated in figure 1, which are at least partially superposed on the back-reflecting layer 3. This further increases the stability and duration of the connection between the back-reflecting layer 3 and the support layer 2 and the support layer 2, as there could be possible detachments of the back-reflecting layer 3 along the borders thereof. As a further reinforcement for the structured element, two reinforcing elements 2c, 2d can be arranged at the end portions of the structured element, the reinforcing elements 2c, 2d exhibiting a C-section, which press the support layer 2 and the back-reflecting layer 3 one against the other such as to prevent any possible detachments between the two layers at the end portions of the structured element. The two reinforcing elements 2c, 2d might also be constituted by two end flaps of the support layer 2, folded on themselves and superposing on the back-reflecting layer 3. These reinforcing elements 2c, 2d can be provided with holes for connecting to a support surface.

In order to facilitate the application and fixing of the structured element to a surface, in particular to an irregular surface such as a tree, a shaped layer 10, preferably made of annealed aluminium, can be associated to the support layer 2 below the reliefs 3, such as to be arranged on the lie surface SG. The shaped layer 10 can be associated to the support layer by means of a layer of self-polymerising adhesive or mechanical connecting elements (for example screws or rivets). The presence of the shaped layer is useful for fixing the structured element to an irregular surface as it increases the rest surface of the structured element. The shaped layer 10 can further be provided with lateral appendages which project upwards and laterally close the reliefs 4, with the aim of protecting the supply units 32 of the LEDs 31. A photovoltaic panel 33 for supplying the LEDs 31 can be located on a lateral part of the shaped layer 10, the part which is facing upwards when the structured element is in a vertical position in working conditions.

The flat layer 10 is particularly suitable for the application of the structured element to a tree trunk. For this purpose, two or more elastic elements can be fixed to opposite edges of the flat layer 10. Flexible elements, such as cables or straps or the like, can be wound about the tree trunk and fixed to the elastic elements such as to associate the structured element to the trunk. The presence of the elastic elements enables the natural growth of the trunk to be absorbed without causing detachment of the structured element and without causing the deformation of the support layer 2. The tension caused by the growth of the tree is absorbed by the flat layer 10.

The structured element of the present invention attains all the preset aims. It enables realising horizontal signalling and/or lateral signalling which is very highly visible, even where the natural light is poor, and economical, including from the point of view of the application thereof on a road surface. Further, the structured element is much more resistant and durable than the structured elements of known type and than the paints which are commonly used for realising horizontal signalling.

Claims

Claims.

1. A structured element for horizontal and/or lateral signalling, comprising: a support layer (2), provided with a longitudinal axis (x), which overall envelops a lie surface (SG); a back-reflecting layer (3), associated to the support layer (2); a plurality of reliefs (4), parallel to one another, which project with respect to the lie surface (SG) on a side thereof where the back-reflecting layer (3) is located, each relief (4) being orientated in an inclined direction (y) with respect to the longitudinal axis (x); characterised in that the support layer (2) exhibits a mesh structure.

2. The element of claim 1, wherein the support layer (2) comprises a mesh.

3. The element of at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a filler layer (5) is associated to the support layer (2) and the back-reflecting layer (3), the filler layer (5) being predisposed to fill recesses (6) present in the support layer (2) on a side which is opposite to the reliefs (4).

4. The element of claim 3, wherein the filler layer (5) is made of a polyurethane resin.

5. The element of claim 4, wherein corundum powder is dispersed in the filler layer (5) made of polyurethane resin.

6. The element of one of the preceding claims, wherein each relief (4) exhibits a trapezoid profile in transversal section, open at a larger base thereof, which relief (4) is provided with two lateral surfaces (4a, 4b) which extend from the lie surface (SG) and converge with one another and which are conjoined by a top surface (4c).

7. The element of claim 6, wherein the reliefs (4) are alternated with smaller reliefs (41) parallel to the reliefs (4), the smaller reliefs (41) projecting with respect to the lie surface (SG) from a side at which the back-reflecting layer (3) is located, and being orientated in diagonal directions (y) parallel to the orientation directions of the reliefs (4).

8. The element of one of the preceding claims, wherein the reliefs (4) are provided with luminous devices (31, 32), arranged on at least some of the lateral surfaces (4a, 4b) of the reliefs, which comprise one or more LEDs (31) partially inserted in special through-openings made on the lateral surfaces of the reliefs (4).

9. The element of claim 8, wherein the luminous devices are supplied by means of at least a photovoltaic element (33) arranged in a zone comprised between two reliefs (4).

10. The element of one of claims 8 or 9, wherein an electronic circuit controls intermittent lighting of the LEDs (31) following a temporal cycle.

1 1. The element of claim 10, wherein the electronic circuit comprises a light-sensitive dusk switch which enables the LEDs to be lit only when natural light falls below a predetermined level, operating a delayed switching-off of the LEDs when headlights of a motor vehicle are detected.

12. A lateral delimitation strip for a carriageway or lane, comprising at least a structured element of one of the preceding claims, wherein the element (1) is shaped as a strip having a longitudinal axis (x) which is associated to the road surface in a lateral position with respect to the carriageway or lane.

13. A structured element for a lateral sign, comprising:

a support layer (2), which overall envelops a lie surface (SG) and is shaped such as to define a parallel plurality of reliefs (4) which project with respect to the lie surface (SG) and comprise a first (4a) and a second (4b) lateral surface;

a back-reflecting layer (3), associated to the surface of the support layer (2) on a side thereof from which the reliefs project;

characterised in that at least some of the lateral surfaces (4a, 4b) of the reliefs (4) are provided with luminous devices.

14. The structured element of claim 13, wherein the luminous devices (31, 32) comprise one or more LEDs (31) which are partially inserted in special through-openings made on lateral surfaces of the reliefs.

15. The structured element of claim 14, wherein the LEDs (31) are connected to a supply unit (32) which can advantageously be housed internally of the relief (4).

16. The structured element of one of claims from 13 to 15, wherein the luminous devices (31, 32) are connected to a photovoltaic element (33) predisposed to supply electricity to the luminous devices (31, 32), which photovoltaic element (33) can be located in a zone comprised between two reliefs (4).

17. The structured element of one of claims from 13 to 16, wherein an electronic circuit controls intermittent lighting of the LEDs (31) following a temporal cycle.

18. The element of claim 17, wherein the electronic circuit comprises a light-sensitive switch which enables lighting of the LEDs only when natural light falls below a predetermined level, operating a delayed switching-off of the LEDs when headlights of a motor vehicle are detected.

19. The structured element of at least one of claims from 13 to 18, wherein smaller reliefs (41) are interposed between the reliefs (4), the smaller reliefs having a lower height than the reliefs (4).

20. The structured element of at least one of claims from 13 to 19, wherein the support layer (2) is longitudinally folded along edges thereof in order to define two flaps (2a, 2b) which at least partially superpose the back- reflecting layer (7).

21. The structured element of at least one of claims from 13 to 20, wherein two reinforcement elements (2c, 2d) are arranged at the end portions of the structured element, which press the support layer (2) and the back- reflecting layer (7) towards one another.

22. The structured element of one of claims from 13 to 21, wherein a shaped layer (10) is associated to the support layer (2) below the reliefs (3) such as to be arranged on the lie surface (SG), the shaped layer (10) being provided with lateral appendages which project upwards and laterally close the reliefs (4), in order to protect the supply units (32) of the LEDs (31).