How London, Ontario used Red MMAX and TrafficPatternsXD on the East London Link BRT corridor to fit protected bike lanes alongside transit, in every season.
Project: East London Link, London, ON Products Used: MMAX and TrafficPatternsXD
The Challenge
As part of London's Complete Streets strategy, the East London Link BRT corridor needed surfaces that would let protected bike lanes run safely beside the buses. The city had several persistent problems:
- Rapid lane fading from UV exposure, weather, and vehicle stress
- Slippery surfaces increasing risk at intersections and crossings
- Frequent maintenance cycles draining time and budgets
- Limited material resilience to de-icing chemicals and freeze-thaw conditions
To meet long-term safety and cost-efficiency targets, London needed surface treatments that could perform in all seasons while supporting multimodal design.
Red MMAX and TrafficPatternsXD
HUB Surface Systems used two materials:
Red MMAX for the bus lanes
- High-performance methyl methacrylate (MMA) coating with excellent UV and chemical resistance
- Bold green pigmentation keeps the lane visible and unmistakable
- Anti-slip surface texture designed for year-round bus and pedestrian safety
- Withstands snowplows, salt, and daily wear with minimal maintenance
TrafficPatternsXD for crosswalks and conflict zones
- Preformed thermoplastic with aggregate texture for maximum skid resistance
- Applied at crosswalks, intersections and conflict points
- Fast installation, heated and stamped into the asphalt, with little disruption
- Supports wayfinding, pedestrian safety, and transit flow
Implementation Highlights
- Red MMAX was applied along the BRT corridor to clearly delineate protected bike lanes
- TrafficPatternsXD was installed at major crosswalks and intersections
- Work was coordinated around transit schedules and performed by HUB-certified crews for optimal adhesion and longevity
Results
- Improved cycling safety through high-visibility, skid-resistant surfaces
- Reduced repainting and maintenance costs across active transportation zones
- Enhanced multimodal coordination with clear visual cues for riders, drivers, and pedestrians
- All-season durability in one of Canada's most challenging winter climates
Conclusion
With Green MMAX for protected bike lanes and TrafficPatternsXD at key crosswalks, the City of London made the East London Link corridor safer and more efficient. The project gave the city:
- Year-round pedestrian safety in Canada's most demanding transit zones
- Lower costs over the service life through reduced repainting and repair needs
- Improved rider experience at key transfer hubs and platforms
- Better integration with multimodal design standards
