About the Hackathon
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been conducting an open-to public event – the 6th NHAI Innovation Hackathon. This Hackathon aims to invite innovative, technology-driven solutions to real-life challenges faced by NHAI.
Various departments and technical wings of NHAI have submitted practical problem statements that require out-of-the-box thinking, efficient tech tools, and scalable ideas from the public – including students, startups, professionals, and developers.
Objective
Retroreflectivity describes the ability of a surface to return light to its source. Retroreflectivity is a technology used to enhance the readability and perception of information displayed in low-light and night-time conditions. Retro-reflectivity ensures that road signs and pavement markings are visible at night and under low-light conditions, significantly improving road safety. NHAI is looking for high-quality retro-reflectivity measurement solutions for road markings and sign boards.
Eligibility
Open to all – Students, Startups, Innovators, Tech Enthusiasts, existing equipment manufacturers.
Problem Statement
NHAI recognizes that legible traffic signs and quality pavement markings are important for highway safety, especially in low-light conditions and at night. The retroreflectivity of traffic signs, pavement markings and reflective pavement markings (RPMs) / road studs provides positive visual guidance to assist driver’s awareness of lanes and road edges.
They provide critical warning, timely location and other information to drivers. The retroreflectivity of signs and road markings is critical to a safer road environment. NHAI mandates in its contracts for providing safety items having high quality reflective sheeting on Traffic Signs, Road Studs, Delineators, etc. and high quality pavement markings on highways. The retro reflectiveness measurement of these safety products are required to be measured on installation.
Further, the effectiveness of retroreflective materials tends to deteriorate over time, regular maintenance is important. Signs and road markings lose their colour, legibility, and retroreflectivity as a result of corrosion caused by exhaust fumes and industrial pollution, erosion caused by vehicle tyres, sun exposure, dirt, ice and wind. Regular inspection and measurement during O & M stage ensures that minimum acceptable retro reflectivity standards are maintained.
NHAI highway road network spreads across country. The highways are 8 lane high speed expressways, 6 lane, 4 lane and 2 lane highways. These highways have been provided with gantry signs, shoulder mounted signs and pavement markings.
Currently, the reflectivity measurements of safety products are measured by hand held devices confirming to IRC 67 and IRC 35. The measurement by handheld devices is very time consuming and unsafe as high speed traffic is also plying on the highway/expressway.
How to Apply?
Interested candidates can apply online via the link given at the end of the post.
Important dates
- Problem Statements Release: [08.04.2026 at 05:00 PM]
- Registration Opens: [08.04.2026 at 05:00 PM]
- Final Submission Date: [23.04.2026 at 05:00 PM]
- Evaluation: [To be Notified]
- Presentations: [To be Notified]
- Result Declaration: [To be Notified]
Prizes
- 1st Prize – ₹2,00,000
- 2nd Prize – ₹1,00,000
- 3rd Prize – ₹50,000
Click here to Apply.
