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High-Visibility Intersection
Intersections in urban areas are full of distractions and potential collision points between motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and people using new modes of transportation like scooters and mopeds. Raising the visibility of intersections and designating safe zones for vulnerable road users can help reduce collisions and save lives.
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Increase the visibility of intersections to improve urban safety and mobility.
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), over 50% of fatal and injury crashes happen at or near an intersection.
Solutions for Improving the Visibility of Intersections
Easy-to-implement, effective, low-cost solutions can improve the visibility of intersections in urban areas. By designing complete streets that are forgiving and intuitive for everyone sharing the roads, we can help reduce conflict points, prevent wrong way driving and collisions, and improve urban safety.
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Curb ExtensionsExtended curbs or curb bump outs marked by high-visibility pavement markings, signs and delineators can help calm traffic and designate safe zones for pedestrians and cyclists to wait to cross the road, protected from motor vehicle traffic.
Learn about the impact of curb extensions (US, English only) -
Pedestrian CrossingsHighly visible crosswalks marked with pavement markings and retroreflective signs alert pedestrians, cyclists and motorists to designated pedestrian crossing areas and help give drivers enough time to react to pedestrians in the road.
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Divided Traffic LanesChannelizers that divide lanes or designate left turn lanes can help reduce conflict points between vehicles at intersections. Add highly visible retroreflective sheeting to channelizers to help drivers see them in a range of conditions, including at night or in the rain.
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Designated Mobility HubDesignating bus stops, pedestrian zones at crosswalks, scooter zones, vehicle parking zones, bike boxes, etc., can help reduce conflict points at intersections. High-visibility markings, symbols and legends on the sidewalk or road, retroreflective traffic signs and channelizers can all provide visual cues and help increase the safety of these zones.
The Problem with Intersections: The Conflict Points Add Up
Any time two paths cross — like a pedestrian crossing the street as a vehicle approaches — there’s a potential point of conflict. With vehicles traveling multiple different directions, vehicles turning left and right, varying intersection angles, cyclists and vehicles sharing turn lanes, pedestrians trying to cross the street and buses stopping for passengers, a typical intersection has 32 potential conflict points.¹
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Building Safer Roads in Growing Urban Areas
In 2018, about 4.2 billion people lived in urban areas around the world. That number is expected to grow by an additional 2.5 billion by 2050.² This rapid rise in urbanization has many benefits, but it also comes with challenges for city planners and transportation engineers working to promote safe, accessible, efficient transportation in their cities. Learn more about the steps you can take to improve safety and mobility on urban roads.
Helping You Design More Visible Intersections
Send us a messageTraffic Safety Products for High-Visibility Intersections
3M traffic safety devices are engineered to be highly visible, more rugged and more versatile for a range of applications on your urban roads.
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Increase the visibility of lanes, crosswalks and designated zones in urban areas with high-performing and long-lasting wet retroreflective pavement markings and raised markers. Markings with skid particles can help improve traction for pedestrians and vehicles, particularly when it’s wet and rainy.
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High-visibility pavement marking for on-road symbols and legends. Clearly mark stop bars, crosswalks, bike lanes, turn lanes and channelizing lines to help drivers, pedestrians and cyclists safely navigate urban intersections.
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Reflective sheeting for traffic signs (both horizontal signage and vertical signage) and channelizers. Available in a range of materials and colours — including ASTM Type XI which offers our highest level of visibility and fluorescent colours for superior visibility at greater distances.
Looking for help designing and building safer urban roads?
Our experts are here to show you cost-effective, easy-to-apply traffic infrastructure solutions that can help you improve traffic safety and mobility.
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