Keeping pedestrians safe and operating budgets low
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Keeping pedestrians safe and operating budgets low

Mar 15, 20245 min read

Canadian municipalities are proving that surface treatments reduce crashes without full reconstruction. TrafficPatternsXD breaks the paint-and-patch cycle with 8+ year service life.

Canadian municipalities are proving that surface treatments reduce crashes without full reconstruction

As the snow clears, the recurring headache for operations staff returns: faded markings and snowplow damage. In Canada, the "paint-and-patch" cycle is a significant drain on the budget.

TrafficPatternsXD is engineered to break that cycle. Stamped into the asphalt, the aggregate-reinforced preformed thermoplastic sits virtually flush with the road, which makes it resilient to the one thing that destroys everything else: snowplows.

Three key advantages

Plow-Resistant Durability

Virtually flush with the asphalt to withstand snowplows, de-icing chemicals, and extreme temperatures. The aggregate-reinforced structure eliminates the raised edges that standard thermoplastic and paint markings develop over time, the very edges that snowplow blades catch and destroy.

High-Safety Performance

Provides a slip-resistant, UV-stable surface with high colour contrast for superior pedestrian visibility and universal accessibility.

Long-Term Budget Savings

Offers an 8+ year service life with a one-time application, replacing the costly yearly "paint-and-patch" maintenance cycle. Over an 8-year period, municipalities consistently report total cost savings of 40–60% compared to annual repainting programs.

Field-Proven Across Canada

City of Vaughan: The Heavy-Duty Standard

Using TrafficPatternsXD, Vaughan implemented crosswalks that handle high-volume vehicular traffic and aggressive winter maintenance. Because the material is virtually flush with the asphalt, it remains structurally intact during winter snow-clearing operations and maintains high visibility to support pedestrian safety.

White Rock & Langley, BC: The Architectural Edge

Used TrafficPatterns and TrafficPatternsXD for a brick look without the maintenance associated with traditional pavers. The result is a uniform, trip-free surface that enhances the streetscape while maintaining universal accessibility.

UBC & Commercial Drive: Custom Landmarks

For the University of British Columbia and Vancouver's "Little Italy" communities, a combination of TrafficPatterns and DecoMark provides custom-branded surface art and wayfinding. These installations have held their colour and grip through years of heavy vehicle and foot traffic.

Performance Comparison

Performance MetricTraditional MarkingsHUB Surface Systems
Snowplow resistancePoorExcellent
Service life1–2 years8+ years
InstallationYearly maintenanceOne-time application
Skid resistanceLowHigh
VisibilityFades & loses contrastColour stable / high contrast

“TrafficPatternsXD has proven to be very stable in our environment and has a multitude of applications across various sectors such as landscape, transportation, trails, and parks. It’s a fantastic product that I genuinely think should be used more widely.”

Leo Guddemi, Senior Associate, Landscape Architecture Team Lead, Stantec

Real-World Applications

  • High-traffic crosswalks
  • Transit priority & bus lanes
  • Main street revitalization
  • Bike lanes
  • School & safety zones
  • Community branding & wayfinding
  • Muster points & emergency corridors
  • Airports & specialized infrastructure

Built for Canadian winters: resists snowplow blades, brushes, de-icing chemicals, and freeze-thaw cycles and keeps its colour and contrast. Proven performance from -40°C to +40°C.


Contact HUB Surface Systems to schedule a free site assessment or book a Lunch & Learn for your engineering team.

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