How DecoMark and TrafficPatterns transformed Commercial Drive in Vancouver and Brighouse Station in Richmond into safer, more vibrant civic landmarks.
Case Study: Branded Crosswalks and Pedestrian Safety in Vancouver & Richmond
Projects: Commercial Drive Decorative Crosswalks (Vancouver — Little Italy) · Richmond Brighouse Station
The Challenge
Both the City of Vancouver and the City of Richmond sought to improve pedestrian safety while revitalizing key urban spaces through culturally meaningful and visually distinctive crosswalks.
The goals went beyond function—these crossings needed to deliver:
- High-visibility pedestrian zones that could withstand year-round use
- Skid-resistant surfaces that supported safe foot traffic in wet conditions
- Stronger community identity, using custom visuals aligned with local culture
- Reduced maintenance cycles, ensuring long-term vibrancy and cost efficiency
Traditional painted markings weren't meeting these needs, often fading quickly and offering limited design flexibility.
Vancouver — Commercial Drive (Little Italy)
To honour local heritage while enhancing safety in Vancouver's Little Italy district, HUB Surface Systems delivered a custom solution.
DecoMark™ — A preformed thermoplastic graphic system that allowed the city to apply bold, Italian-themed designs directly into the crosswalk, reinforcing the neighbourhood's unique cultural identity.
TrafficPatterns™ — Installed alongside DecoMark™, this high-durability preformed thermoplastic offered skid resistance and design flexibility—ideal for guiding pedestrians through an active, multimodal corridor.
Key Benefits:
- Customizable design for civic branding and cultural expression
- Skid-resistant surface for enhanced pedestrian safety in high foot-traffic areas
- UV-stable colours that stay vibrant over time
- Fast installation with minimal disruption—ideal for busy urban corridors
Result: The crosswalks became not only safer but also a visual gateway to the neighbourhood—attracting attention, foot traffic, and community pride while cutting repainting frequency.
Richmond — Brighouse Station (TransLink B-Line)
At Richmond's busiest B-Line transit hub, safety and surface resilience were paramount.
TrafficPatternsXD™ — A heavy-duty, preformed thermoplastic with embedded aggregate and a textured profile designed to endure continuous wear from buses, snowplows, and pedestrian traffic.
Key Benefits:
- High-friction surface prevents slips—even in wet or icy weather
- Designed to withstand turning, braking, and snow-clearing equipment
- Fast, heat-bonded installation avoids major lane closures
- Long-term durability minimizes maintenance and disruption
Result: The enhanced crossings supported Richmond's Complete Streets and accessibility goals, improving safety at modal transitions while requiring minimal long-term upkeep.
Results Across Both Cities
According to municipal project feedback and on-site observations:
- Enhanced pedestrian safety, with more clearly defined crosswalk boundaries
- Stronger visual identity, turning basic crossings into civic landmarks
- Higher pedestrian engagement and foot traffic in revitalized areas
- Reduced maintenance needs, thanks to fade- and wear-resistant materials
Conclusion
By combining DecoMark™ and TrafficPatterns™ for design flexibility in Vancouver, and leveraging TrafficPatternsXD™ for high-performance durability in Richmond, both cities set a new standard in urban crosswalk design.
These projects prove that surface infrastructure can—and should—serve both practical safety needs and community placemaking goals.
Why it works for municipalities:
- Aligns with Vision Zero and Complete Streets design mandates
- Supports cultural branding and civic identity through creative expression
- Cuts long-term maintenance through fade-resistant, high-durability materials
- Enhances pedestrian safety without compromising design aesthetics
Contact HUB Surface Systems to learn how we can help your municipality achieve similar results.
