Abstract:Long-afterglow material is a power-free, non-radioactive and recyclable light-storing and luminescent functional material, which can absorb light for 5~10 min and continuously emit light in the dark for more than 12 h, showing significant application potential in green transportation and road safety. Based on existing studies, the development history of long-afterglow materials is reviewed, the luminescence characteristics and principles of three main long afterglow materials, namely metal sulfides, aluminates and silicates, are expounded, and the technical characteristics of four coating-based, cement-based, resin-based and asphalt-based self-luminous pavements are compared and analyzed, which is pointed out that the current materials have problems such as insufficient water resistance, rapid luminescence attenuation, and poor compatibility between pavement durability and cost control. The research result shows that the self-luminous pavements can reduce night traffic accidents, lighting energy consumption and light pollution. Finally, the prospects are put forward from material modification, pavement structure optimization and construction standardization, which can provide references for the application and popularization of long-afterglow materials in road engineering.