Red zones and optical traffic calming measures

Calming traffic at village entrances, near schools, at pedestrian crossings, or before dangerous intersections is a key task for every local government. However, traditional solutions like raised speed bumps often come with drawbacks—noise from passing vehicles, complications with winter maintenance, and negative reactions from drivers.

Yet, there is a solution that can influence driver behavior without the need for structural road modifications. WeTraffic colored safety surfaces and optical speed reducers use a combination of visual effects and enhanced anti-skid surface properties to help increase traffic safety.

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How do optical speed reducers and colored road zones work?

Drivers react to visual stimuli before they fully process the meaning of traffic signs. Monotonous gray asphalt can lead to reduced attention—the environment becomes predictable, and the brain gradually stops actively evaluating it.

A brightly colored surface can disrupt this pattern. For example, red highlighting of a high-risk area immediately alerts drivers that they are in a zone requiring increased attention.

The most common principles of optical traffic calming include:

• Color highlighting of high-risk areas – such as pedestrian crossings, intersections, bike lanes, or village entrances.
• Optical narrowing of the road – colored areas or transverse elements can visually change a driver's perception of space.
• Transverse optical elements – properly designed stripes create the impression of higher driving speed and naturally encourage slowing down.

The result is a safer environment without the need to install traditional physical obstacles.

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Safety is about more than just color. The surface matters too.

WeTraffic color zones are not just an aesthetic feature or a "painted area." They are functional safety surfacesthat combine visual alerts with a real increase in safety.

By incorporating hard bauxite aggregate into the PMMA coating, the surface achieves high, long-lasting skid resistance.

A high coefficient of friction between the tire and the surface helps improve vehicle handling and contributes to shorter braking distances, even in adverse conditions such as rain.

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Safer roads without major construction work

One of the main advantages of WeTraffic colored safety surfaces is their easy application to existing roads.

For municipalities, cities, and facility managers, they offer several benefits:

• No extensive construction work – there is no need for milling or changing the road structure.
• Compatibility with winter maintenance – the flat surface does not hinder the passage of winter maintenance equipment.
• Fast implementation – the application allows for traffic restrictions to be limited to the strictly necessary duration.
• Suitable for use in projects aimed at improving traffic safety.

Colored safety surfaces are used, for example, near schools, at pedestrian crossings, on bike paths, in residential zones, or in areas with a higher risk of traffic accidents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are optical traffic calming measures?

Optical traffic calming measures are visual elements on the road surface that use colors, shapes, or patterns to alert drivers to hazardous areas and encourage natural deceleration.

Do colored safety surfaces replace traditional speed bumps?

In some situations, they can be a suitable alternative to physical speed bumps. The advantages include the absence of noise, faster installation and minimal disruption to the road surface.

Where are safety surfaces most commonly used?

Most often near schools, pedestrian crossings, intersections, bike paths, town entrances, and other locations where it is necessary to improve visibility and traffic safety.

Improve safety in your municipality or facility in a modern way. The combination of proper color highlighting and the high skid resistance of the WeTraffic surface helps protect pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers without the need to install unpopular physical obstacles.