Case Study: Branded Crosswalks and Pedestrian Safety in Vancouver & Richmond

Projects: Commercial Drive Decorative Crosswalks (Vancouver - Little Italy)
Richmond Brighouse Station (Richmond)

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.

The Solution: DecoMark™ + TrafficPatterns™

Vancouver – Commercial Drive (Little Italy)

To honor local heritage while enhancing safety in Vancouver’s Little Italy district, HUB Surface Systems delivered a custom solution featuring:

DecoMark™
A preformed thermoplastic graphic system that allowed the city to apply bold, Italian-themed designs directly into the crosswalk, reinforcing the neighborhood’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 colors 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 neighborhood—attracting attention, foot traffic, and community pride while cutting repainting frequency.

Discover DecoMark™ →

Explore TrafficPatterns™ →

Solution: TrafficPatternsXD™

Richmond – Brighouse Station (TransLink B-Line)

At Richmond’s busiest B-Line transit hub, safety and surface resilience were paramount. HUB supplied:

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.

Read the Brighouse Station Case Study →

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

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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

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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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