Asphalt Art Can Save Lives

A new study found that installing road murals at intersections can cut down on crashes by a whopping 50%.

A street mural in Kansas City, MO, helped cut driver speeds by 45% and inspire the “Asphalt Art Safety Study.” (Photos courtesy of Bloomberg Philanthropies)

“Paint won’t save a life,” is a line popular with bicycle advocates and for good reason — a stripped lane does little to protect a bicyclist in the event of a vehicle collision. It’s the reason why we believe protected bike lanes should be the default for roadways with speed limits above 30 mph. A new study from Bloomberg Philanthropies, however, suggests that when deployed correctly, paint can in fact offer protection.

Researchers examined 17 diverse study sites, comparing Historial Crash Analysis data before and after the introduction of art projects, including intersection murals, crosswalk art, and painted plazas or sidewalk extensions. Notably, none of these designs included any other built infrastructure improvements at the time they were painted. The study also took into account an Observational Behavior Assessment, which compared before and after video footage of motorist and pedestrian behavior at five U.S. locations with asphalt art projects installed in 2021 as part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Asphalt Art Initiative. 

Through analyzing crash data, the “Asphalt Art Safety Study” found significantly improved safety performance across a variety of measures after the installation of asphalt art:

• 50% decrease in the rate of crashes involving pedestrians or other vulnerable road users
• 37% decrease in the rate of crashes leading to injuries
• 17% decrease in the total crash rate

Similarly, the observational assessment found the art installations resulted in:

• 25% decrease in pedestrian crossings involving a conflict with drivers
• 27% increase in the frequency of drivers immediately yielding to pedestrians with the right of way
• 38% decrease in pedestrians crossing against the walk signal
  

Artist Mensah Bey drew inspiration from West African symbolism for this Norfolk, VA, mural.

These findings confirm what many involved in such interventions anecdotally know to be true: Art-driven transportation projects can help improve safety for our most vulnerable road users, all while beautifying our communities. Despite broad public support, however, art in the public right of way has consistently faced hurdles at the regulatory level. In fact, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which dictates U.S. regulations when it comes to street markings and design, currently bans colorfully painted crosswalks due to questionable safety concerns. 

In Washington, D.C., transportation planners for the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) found a workaround to the draconian MUTCD guidelines through the beautification of bike racks, utility boxes, curb bump-outs, and pedestrian zones. Launched in 2019, DDOT’s Arts in the Right-of-Way (AROW) has developed a handful of art guides geared toward sharing out best practices and empowering residents to take an active role in creating more colorful neighborhoods. Not only have residents responded positively to the art but city officials believe they’ve made the streets safer for the most vulnerable road users among us. 

Many organizations, including BBSP partner, the National Association of Transportation Officials (NACTO), have been lobbying for changes to the MUTCD that would eliminate regulatory hurdles and help create streets that put people first and are safer for all road users. Art in the public right of way invites pedestrians back into our streets and helps build community buy-in for public space, while simultaneously encouraging drivers to slow down and yield.

A series of murals at three prominent intersections in the riverfront area of Saginaw, MI.

Much of the current pushback against asphalt art, however, is due to a fear that Automated Vehicle technology will fail to recognize pedestrians amidst all the colors and designs. This logic implies that technology should be the priority — in order to create spaces where folks feel comfortable walking and bicycling, we need to prioritize them, and not the machines that pollute our cities and kill Americans in large numbers every year (not to mention the accompanying highways that bisect our neighborhoods and do little to alleviate congestion). All of these issues disproportionately affect low-income and/or BIPOC communities, which bear the brunt of the physical and mental harm a car-centric culture has created.

Another criticism levied against asphalt art, albeit to a lesser extent, is the need to repaint it at regular intervals. Considering the relative affordability of paint though and the positive safety effects the Bloomberg study showcases, asphalt art is arguably one of the most affordable traffic interventions available. Plus — as the AROW program in Washington D.C. demonstrates — when done properly, creating and maintaining murals can become a community event. 

Volunteers help paint the design of local artist Candy Carver in Durham, NC.

To date, Bloomberg’s Asphalt Art Initiative has led to the installation of 42 separate street murals throughout the U.S., costing $25,000 each, which have brought joy alongside safer streets. In order to help other cities facilitate a more colorful transition, Bloomberg has developed an Asphalt Art Guide and is currently accepting grant applications from European cities.

The Better Bike Share Partnership is funded by The JPB Foundation as a collaboration between the City of Philadelphia, the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) and the PeopleForBikes Foundation to build equitable and replicable bike share systems. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or sign up for our weekly newsletter. Got a question or a story idea? Email kiran@peopleforbikes.org.