White Paper: Technical Guide for Transportation Engineers & Urban Designers

Building Resilient, Low-Maintenance
Transit Corridors

As Canadian cities adopt Complete Streets policies and accelerate multimodal transit development, infrastructure professionals are under growing pressure to deliver surface systems that are safe, compliant, and built for real-world wear—from freeze–thaw cycles to heavy vehicular wear.

For transportation engineers, the performance of a corridor hinges on the materials beneath it. Fading bus lanes, slippery crossings, and frequent repainting cycles not only degrade the public realm—they pose liability risks, and increase long-term costs.

HUB Surface Systems works with municipalities and design consultants across Canada to implement advanced surfacing technologies that enhance safety, durability, and user experience in transit, cycling, and pedestrian environments.

What This Guide Covers

How to reduce maintenance cycles and visual degradation
Material strategies for high-traffic zones, bus and lanes
Real-world performance data from urban projects across Canada
Technical specs aligned with TAC, MUTCD, AODA, and Vision Zero frameworks

Engineering Challenges at a Glance

Challenge

Premature fading & material wear

Poor traction in wet/winter weather

Repainting and surface fatigue

Warn out markings

Impact on Infrastructure

Reduced visibility, unclear navigation, maintenance costs

Increased liability and safety incidents

Higher long-term costs, and service disruptions

Higher risk of accidents / conflicts

✅ Material Systems & Applications

Product

MMAX™

TrafficPatternsXD™

StreetBond150™

DecoMark™

TrafficPatterns™

Applications

Bus lanes, bus platforms, delineation zones

Crosswalks, station areas, pedestrian zones

Bike lanes, pedestrian plazas, pathways.

Wayfinding, educational graphics, branding.

Crosswalks, station areas, pedestrian zones

Key Benefits

MMA resin with extreme durability, cold-cure, anti-skid, fast install

Aggregate reinforced preformed thermoplastic

UV-stable, flexible coating with excellent colour retention and texture

Durable thermoplastic, fast installation, and de-skid finish, custom designs.

High-visibility thermoplastic for controlled traffic areas, customizable.

All HUB Surface Systems products conform to TAC and MUTCD guidelines for color contrast, slip resistance, and multimodal design visibility.

📘 Technical Specs & Installation Guides →

🇨🇦 Field-Tested Projects Across Canada

York Region – VIVA Bus Rapid Transit Network

To support its Complete Streets strategy and accommodate growing multimodal traffic along the Highway 7 corridor, York Region deployed a dual-surface strategy:

TrafficPatternsXD™ was installed at 28 intersections, providing high-friction, long-lasting crosswalks and pedestrian zones that withstand winter abrasion and transit turning movements.
Green MMAX™ was applied to delineate dedicated bus and cycling lanes, ensuring year-round visibility and enhanced navigation for active mobility users.

Result: Safer, more intuitive streetscapes with long-term visual cohesion across one of Ontario’s busiest Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors.

View Case Study →

East London Link, Bus Rapid Transit – London, ON

London’s East London Link—a major component of the city’s Bus Rapid Transit Network—required materials that could handle both transit wear and cycling integration:

Green MMAX™ was used to define bicycle lanes with vibrant, slip-resistant surfacing that cured quickly and minimized traffic disruption.
TrafficPatternsXD™ was installed at intersections and pedestrian conflict zones, improving safety and visibility in winter-prone conditions.

Result: Fewer maintenance interventions, better traction during freeze–thaw cycles, and stronger multimodal coordination along the corridor.

View Case Study →

🚉 Richmond – Brighouse Station (TransLink)

At the busiest transfer point in Richmond’s B-Line system, TransLink required a surface solution capable of withstanding both heavy pedestrian use and continuous vehicle traffic while ensuring reliable, all-season safety:

TrafficPatternsXD™ was installed near transit boarding platforms and pedestrian crossings, offering a textured, anti-skid solution for critical modal transition zones.
The system delivered long-term durability, reducing maintenance cycles while maintaining high visibility to improve safety in heavy-use areas.

Result: Improved pedestrian visibility, reduced risk of slippage, and better alignment with Richmond’s Complete Streets and accessibility goals.

View Case Study →

🇮🇹 Vancouver – Commercial Drive (Little Italy)

In one of Vancouver’s most culturally significant urban corridors, the City prioritized both safety and placemaking at key intersections and public spaces, ensuring infrastructure improvements also reflected the character and identity of the community.

DecoMark™ was used to install custom-designed crosswalk graphics, reinforcing civic identity and artistic expression in the heart of Little Italy.

TrafficPatterns™ added functional clarity and anti-slip protection in pedestrian-heavy areas, enhancing both aesthetic value and safety performance.

Result: A vibrant, community-branded public space that meets technical durability requirements while celebrating local heritage.

View Case Study →

🎯 Why Engineers Choose HUB

Engineered for Canada: Withstands snowplows, road salt, freeze–thaw, and heavy loading
Efficient Installation: Thermoplastics and MMA systems allow fast turnaround, minimal lane closures
Proven Performance: Field-tested across Canada’s highest-volume corridors
Flexible Application: Overlays, inlays, stencils, or full-lane systems to match any design challenge
Design-Standards Compliant: Fully aligned with TAC, MUTCD, AODA, and Vision Zero frameworks

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🛠 Product Line at a Glance

Engineered Surface Solutions for Modern Urban Infrastructure

TrafficPatternsXD™ | Preformed thermoplastic system for high-traffic crosswalks and intersections

Best For: Pedestrian crossings, streetscape enhancements and traffic calming zones

Key Features:

Aggregate-reinforced thermoplastic for enhanced durability
Supplied in 150 mil thickness (3.8 mm)
Installed using infrared heating and stamping technology
Aesthetically pleasing designs and high contrast visibility

Performance Highlights:

Designed to withstand heavy vehicular loads
Maintains skid resistance over time
Low maintenance with long service life

LEARN MORE →

MMAX® | Methyl methacrylate (MMA) resin-based coating for high-durability lane markings

Best For: Bus lanes, bike lanes, transit routes, and high-traffic areas requiring high colour contrast.

Key Features:

Exceptional durability and skid resistance
Fast-curing, allowing for minimal traffic disruption
Color-stable pigments for long-lasting visibility
Extended application temperature range (35°F to 150°F / 2°C to 66°C)

Performance Highlights:

High friction surface suitable for all weather conditions
Resistant to snowplow damage and de-icing chemicals
Ideal for year-round application

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TrafficPatterns® | Preformed thermoplastic markings for decorative crosswalks and streetscapes

Best For: Enhanced crosswalks, pedestrian zones, and traffic calming areas

Key Features:

Surface-applied designs created with colour
Available in various standard patterns and colours
Quick installation with minimal traffic disruption
Custom designs available

Performance Highlights:

Durable and skid-resistant surface
Fade-resistant colors for long-term visibility
Suitable for both asphalt and concrete substrates

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StreetBond® SB150 | Advanced waterborne epoxy-modified acrylic coating for asphalt and concrete surfaces

Best For: Colored area markings, pedestrian realms, and urban streetscapes

Key Features:

UV-stable and skid-resistant finish
Flexible to accommodate substrate movement without cracking
Low VOC and environmentally responsible
Available in a wide range of standard / custom colours, including solar-reflective options

Performance Highlights:

Cures in 24hrs (25°C)
Durable under various weather conditions
Extends pavement life by protecting against UV and weathering

LEARN MORE →

DecoMark® | Preformed thermoplastic graphics for branding and wayfinding

Best For: Logos, surface signs, community branding, wayfinding and decorative markings.

Key Features:

Customizable designs to match branding requirements
High UV resistance ensures vibrant colors over time
Easy application with propane heat torch

Performance Highlights:

Engineered to last 6 to 8 times longer than paint
Maintains appearance in high-traffic pedestrian areas
Enhances community identity and navigational clarity

LEARN MORE →

💬 Ready to Collaborate?

Whether you’re working on a master plan, issuing an RFP, or looking for long-term solutions to reduce maintenance costs—HUB’s surface systems deliver performance you can trust, backed by 25+ years of experience in Canada.

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Or call us to discuss your project goals.