In a system of surface markers, each surface marker includes a housing having an upper surface with a clear top that, when the surface marker is on a vehicle travel surface, is raised with respect to the vehicle travel surface. The housing includes a battery and photoelectric converter, as well as a sensor detecting vehicles, a wireless transceiver at least transmitting data, and processing circuitry all powered by the battery or converter. The surface marker communicates location information for the surface marker to a mobile terminal, directly or indirectly via a network, and communicates information relating to the vehicle to a remote server within the network. Surface markers may communicate only with each other and mobile terminals, or also communicate with network access points to forward information from other surface markers. Each surface marker optionally includes a reflector around at least a portion of the housing.