⭐ COMMUNITY BRANDING & BEAUTIFICATION

Where Design Meets Community: Creating Identity Through the Street Surface

Great neighbourhoods feel intentional. Their crosswalks invite you in, their colours tell a story, and their public spaces make you want to slow down and explore. From lively commercial districts to university entrances, surface design is one of the most powerful tools for shaping how a place feels.

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UBC community branding UBC Musqueam Crosswalk

UBC | MUSQUEAM Decorative Crosswalk

Made with TrafficPatterns

The Surface Branding Arsenal

Gateway Statements That Last

TrafficPatternsXD™ heavy-duty textured surfacing is the ideal choice for high-wear trail crossings and multi-use path intersections along the Pacific Spirit Trail and North Vancouver’s active-mobility network. Its thick, aggregate-reinforced structure delivers exceptional durability under braking, turning, and frequent foot, wheel and even bus traffic, while the textured profile enhances traction in the region’s year-round wet conditions. Unlike paint or thin coatings that fade quickly, TrafficPatternsXD™ maintains colour, slip resistance, and visibility through repeated winters, offering a long-lasting solution for trailheads, road-to-trail transitions, and areas with consistent commuter bike volumes.

Spirittrail-stamped-asphalt-crosswalk-using-DuraTherm-preformed-thermoplastic-inlay

Pacific Spirit Trail, North Vancouver B.C.

Application sweet spots:

District entry points requiring immediate visual impact

Transit station forecourts announcing arrival

Heritage zones balancing authenticity with accessibility

University campus perimeters establishing presence

Main Street Transformations

TrafficPatterns® | Decorative Thermoplastic 

Delivers vibrant crosswalks that outlast paint by 5-8 years. Available in standard patterns or custom designs, the preformed sheets install quickly and maintain slip resistance through all seasons.

DecoMark® | Custom Graphics 

Turn plain asphalt into branded experiences. From downtown logos to cultural symbols, these thermoplastic graphics withstand millions of footsteps while maintaining crisp edges and vivid colors.

Commercial Drive Crosswalk Intersections

Little Italy Energy, Year-Round 🇮🇹

Commercial Drive sits at the cultural heart of Little Italy, where pedestrian activity, patios, transit, and independent businesses all converge. Crosswalks here should reinforce the neighbourhood’s Italian identity while remaining durable enough for year-round bus traffic, turning movements, and high pedestrian volumes. The combination of TrafficPatternsXD™ and DecoMark® provides a strong, expressive, and long-lasting treatment without the need for paint or coatings.

Recommended Surface Package;
TrafficPatternsXD™ + DecoMark®

Primary Crossings (All Legs):

Use TrafficPatternsXD™ heavy-duty textured preformed thermoplastic for every crosswalk along Commercial Drive.

  • The aggregate-reinforced structure withstands buses, scrubbing, braking, and tight turning movements.

  • The textured profile enhances traction in Vancouver’s frequent wet conditions.

  • Colours remain vibrant for years, giving the Little Italy identity a consistent presence throughout the corridor.

Choose warm red, deep green, or terracotta-inspired tones that echo the cultural palette associated with Italian heritage districts.

Cultural Branding — Little Italy identity (DecoMark®):

Place DecoMark® pre-cut thermoplastic district logos at key nodes:

  • Crosswalk thresholds

  • Block gateways

  • Plazas or patio entry points

These graphics maintain crisp edges and withstand heavy foot traffic far better than paint or vinyl, making them ideal for long-term branding on the street surface.

DecoMark® ensures the Little Italy identity is visible without excess signage, integrating branding directly into the pedestrian realm.

Accent Bands & Edge Definition (Optional with XD):

TrafficPatternsXD™ can also be used for edge bands or accent strips around crosswalks for added visual clarity. This helps unify the corridor and emphasize crossings without overwhelming the streetscape.

Spec Notes (XD + DecoMark)

  • Require full-scale colour and pattern mock-ups for approval, ensuring both accessibility and cultural sensitivity.

  • Keep the crossing patterns simple, geometric, and readable at driver approach speeds; place culturally specific graphics using DecoMark®, not inside the crosswalk field.

  • Align seams with drainage direction; avoid utility lids where possible.

  • Include a spring post-winter inspection (quick repairs can be done via individual replacement sheets).

  • Maintain a consistent colour palette across all crossings to reinforce a clear Little Italy corridor identity.

Commercial Drive Crosswalk
DecoMark Little Italy community branding

Commercial Drive Little Italy Crosswalk | Made with TrafficPatterns

commercial drive little Italy decorative crosswalk intersection

Commercial Drive, Vancouver B.C. [Little Italy]

UBC Crosswalk Intersection
Signature Campus Gateways

Communicate “you’ve arrived,” keep crossings legible in all seasons, and support service/transit operations.

UBC’s campus gateways carry a unique mix of heavy pedestrian volumes, cycling flows, bus activity, and service vehicles. Crosswalks here should feel unmistakably “UBC”—highly visible, consistent across multiple entrances, and engineered to withstand year-round coastal weather. TrafficPatterns® offers a durable, design-driven solution that enhances legibility and reinforces campus identity without disrupting operations.

Recommended Package — TrafficPatterns®

Primary Crossings (Campus Entrances):

Use TrafficPatterns® decorative preformed thermoplastic for crisp, high-contrast crosswalks that remain visible through rain, overcast light, and frequent campus traffic. The thermoplastic structure provides strong bonding to asphalt and reliable slip resistance—critical in wet Vancouver conditions.

High-Volume Legs & Transit Corridors:

TrafficPatterns® panels with reinforced placement and strategic seam layout can handle the consistent braking, turning, and transit movements seen at main UBC gateways. Where wear is highest, select denser pattern geometry to visually mask micro-abrasion and maintain long-term clarity.

Forecourts, Plazas & Curb Extensions (Colour Blocks):

TrafficPatterns® can be applied in accent bands or modular blocks to extend the visual identity of a crossing into adjacent pedestrian zones. These blocks help guide circulation at station forecourts, residence hubs, and large pedestrian staging areas.

Campus Identity & Wayfinding:

TrafficPatterns® allows for campus-colour integration and pattern variation across different entrances—subtle, consistent cues that reinforce district identity. For precise crests, directional arrows, or orientation symbols, pair with DecoMark® for sharper graphic definition.

Spec notes

  • Require full-scale colour + layout mock-ups for campus review and accessibility verification.

  • Confirm asphalt substrate quality; repair cracks and depressions before installation.

  • Keep tactile surfaces untouched; locate decorative panels adjacent, not overlapping.

  • Align panel seams with drainage direction to prevent ponding on high-use entrances.

  • Include a post-winter check for edge scuffing in transit-heavy legs; repairs are quick using replacement sheets.

  • Avoid spanning utility lids, expansion joints, or trench cuts to maintain bond integrity.

Musqueam UBC Crosswalk
UBC Decorative Crosswalk
UBC Crosswalk Gateway intersection

UBC | Musqueam Decorative Crosswalk, Vancouver

Granville & 68th (Safeway)
Indigenous‑Inspired Crosswalk Concept

Honour local culture at a high‑visibility node while maintaining a flush, plow‑friendly surface.

UBC’s campus gateways carry a unique mix of heavy pedestrian volumes, cycling flows, bus activity, and service vehicles. Crosswalks here should feel unmistakably “UBC”—highly visible, consistent across multiple entrances, and engineered to withstand year-round coastal weather. TrafficPatterns® offers a durable, design-driven solution that enhances legibility and reinforces campus identity without disrupting operations.

Recommended Package — TrafficPatterns®

Crosswalk field (primary):

Use TrafficPatterns® decorative preformed thermoplastic for a bold, stable colour field that supports Indigenous-inspired geometry. Its heat-bonded surface resists wear, keeps edges crisp, and stays visible through Vancouver’s wet and winter seasons.

Cultural geometry blocks:

TrafficPatterns® allows for modular pattern inserts that can reflect Indigenous symbolism in an abstract, respectful way. This keeps the design readable from driver approach distances while supporting cultural storytelling at ground level.

Threshold markers:

Use TrafficPatterns® accent bands at the beginning and end of the crossing to reinforce motif continuity and guide pedestrian staging areas. These bands help signal the transition from sidewalk to roadway without adding vertical clutter.

Wayfinding & iconography:

For sharp, culturally significant symbols (e.g., animal motifs, territory marks), pair TrafficPatterns® with DecoMark® pre-cut graphics placed at threshold locations where people pause — not mid-crossing — ensuring both respect and legibility.

Engagement Note

For Indigenous-inspired patterns or symbols, conduct co-design with the relevant Nation(s), confirm artwork usage approvals, and establish expectations around long-term stewardship and future refresh cycles.

Custom TrafficPatterns Granvile _ 68th Vancouver, BC_

🛠 Featured Proroducs

Decorative Surface Solutions for Modern Urban Infrastructure

Best For

Enhanced crosswalks, pedestrian zones, community branding, traffic calming areas, and colour-based district identity.

Key Features

  • Surface-applied, colour-integrated designs engineered for decorative crosswalks and placemaking.

  • Available in an extensive library of standard patterns and colours.

  • Custom shapes and colourways can be produced for corridor branding or cultural motifs.

  • Fast installation, allowing most crossings to reopen the same day with minimal disruption.

  • Compatible with both asphalt and primed concrete, expanding placement options across streets, plazas, and forecourts.

Performance Highlights
  • Durable, skid-resistant surface suitable for high-pedestrian environments.

  • Fade-resistant pigments maintain visual clarity and contrast over time.

  • Strong bond to pavement, reducing maintenance and repaint cycles.

  • Excellent option for corridor-wide decorative upgrades without full reconstruction.

Learn more →

Best For: High-traffic intersections, bus routes, turning lanes, transit plazas, steep grades,

and any location requiring maximum durability and enhanced traction.

Key Features:

  • Aggregate-reinforced, textured system engineered for extreme wear conditions.

  • High-skid surface profile that improves traction in wet and turning environments.

  • Thick, durable construction designed to handle bus scrubbing, braking, and tight turning radii.

  • Distinctive stamped texture improves visibility, legibility, and driver approach recognition.

  • Suitable for asphalt and primed concrete, including busy commercial and institutional nodes.

Performance Highlights:

  • Excellent long-term durability under repeated traffic loads and winter operations.

  • Consistent texture retention supports traction through all seasons.

  • Colour stability helps maintain corridor identity on high-use streets.

  • Ideal for safety-focused installations where longevity is critical.

Learn more →

Best For

Community logos, district branding, orientation symbols, bike/pedestrian wayfinding,

and surface signage requiring high longevity and design precision.

Key Features
  • Fully custom pre-cut graphics, including logos, emblems, arrows, icons, and text.

  • Sharp, crisp lines that remain readable under heavy foot traffic.

  • Consistent, vibrant colours aligned with brand palettes or municipal standards.

  • Fast installation using the same heat-bond process as TrafficPatterns® and XD.

  • ADA/CSA-friendly placement options—ideal for nodes, plazas, and approach areas.

Performance Highlights
  • Ultra-durable, skid-resistant surface that outlasts painted graphics.

  • High bond strength ensures symbols stay intact through weather and wear.

  • Perfect for district identity programs, campus branding, cultural expressions, and multi-use trail wayfinding.

  • Works seamlessly alongside TrafficPatterns® and TrafficPatternsXD™ for unified corridor design.

Learn more →

Recent Projects

Check out some of our best work across Canada

A lasting Remembrance Day tribute: Kitchener’s Veterans Crosswalk uses TrafficPatterns® preformed thermoplastic to deliver high-contrast, skid-resistant visibility and community branding at the...
White Rock and Langley are reimagining crosswalks with TrafficPatterns® thermoplastic. In White Rock, artist Amy Bao’s Seaside Stroll mural brings waterfront identity...
White Rock and Langley are reimagining crosswalks with TrafficPatterns® thermoplastic. In White Rock, artist Amy Bao’s Seaside Stroll mural brings waterfront identity...

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