Speak to a 3M expert to explain your project in more detail and discover our solutions.
How do we keep cities safe and mobile while populations keep increasing?
Cities are growing in Europe and becoming more densely populated. Challenges with congestion, safety for vulnerable road users and sustainable lifestyles combined with increased focus on active mobility are initiating changes in the traffic environments. 3M is committed to helping city planners and traffic engineers build safer and more efficient streets and city environments.
-
Visible road markings in cities
While increased bicycling is one of the most effective ways to create a safe and sound traffic environment in urban areas, through own mobility, then with more people cycling, the deficiencies of the cycle networks in many cities become obvious.
Learn more about visible road markings in this white paper by Gernot Sauter, Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist EMEA at 3M Transportation Safety Division Laboratory.
Our apologies.
An error has occurred while submitting. Please try again later
Thank you for requesting this document.
Here is the link to your White Paper (PDF, 1 MB).
Solutions for Urban Safety and Urban Mobility
In a modern evolving design of a city's infrastructure, there are several areas, which are critical to safety for vulnerable road users, and where it is particularly important to pay attention to use the right materials ensuring safe active mobility.
-
Protected Bike Lanes
Increased bike travel offers significant benefits in urban areas, it contributes to a more active, sustainable and healthier mobility. However, riding a bike in congested urban areas can be hazardous for cyclists.
Protected bicycle lanes provide safe, designated space for cyclists and other micromobility users.
-
School Zone SafetyEach year more than 700 children under 15 of age are killed in preventable traffic accidents in Europe¹. While it is the aim that more children are able to cycle or walk safely to and from schools, many paths in a wide area around schools would need significant updating to become safer.
As a city planner, it is a challenge that many children are driven to school by their parents for both practical and safety reasons. Using fluorescent signs made from highly visible 3M Diamond Grade DG³ sheeting and reflective road marking tape can help create safer walking and cycling routes around school zones.
-
Pedestrian CrossingsMost fatalities and accidents with vulnerable road users in cities arises from people trying to cross the roads. Crossings needs to be clearly marked and identifiable both for pedestrians and other city dwellers. Use of reflective highly visible and durable sign materials and road marking solutions can create safe, protected zones.
3M temporary or permanent marking tapes are solutions which are quickly installed without preheating and minimising closing time of roads during installation.
-
Urban Ring Roads and Entry RoadsWhen designing safer traffic environments in the more narrow sections of a city, reducing number of cars and larger vehicles entering the city centers closer proximities, the ring roads and entry roads will have to carry a larger amount of vehicles safer and more effectively.
Often these types of roads are placed in areas also with a high degree of light pollution, so the requirement for highly visible road markings and sign solutions increases.
External Study:
Facts about cyclists
Modal priority based on vulnerability of road users can improve road safety in Cities. While the trend for fatalities is slightly positive for pedestrians, then the overall curve for fatal cycle accidents has been increasing since 2013.
Find out more by downloading the full study by The European Road Safety Observatory.²
External report by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) ³
A report by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) that explores the most recent data on the current safety levels of cycling and walking.
-
-
-
How safe is walking and cycling in Europe?
"At least 51,300 pedestrians and 19,450 cyclists were killed on EU roads over the period 2010 to 2018. 5180 pedestrians and 2160 cyclists lost their lives in 2018 alone."
Ready to improve safety and mobility in your city?
Speak to a 3M expert to explain your project in more detail and discover our solutions.
Traffic Safety Solutions to Improve Urban Safety
For more than 80 years, 3M has engineered traffic safety products that are more visible in a wider range of conditions, more rugged to withstand challenging environments and more versatile to help improve road safety in your city infrastructure.
-
3M retroreflective sheeting for traffic signs and delineators improves visibility and recognition at greater distances. Available in fluorescent colors and ultra-high performance Diamond Grade DG³ material. Diamond Grade reflective sheeting DG³ meets Class RA3 and R3B of DIN 67520 and Class R3C-UK of UK National Annex to EN 12899-1.
-
When continuous delineation and long-distance recognition are needed, like for urban tunnels for example, 3M™ Diamond Grade™ Linear Delineation System (LDS) panels help ensure drivers can navigate safely.
-
Our high-performance markings — including wet retroreflective pavement markings and high-visibility symbols and legends tapes — help communicate important navigational information and guidance to drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
-
Conspicuity tape on large vehicles, buses and trucks is a proven, cost-effective way to improve the visibility of these vehicles, helping to prevent crashes. Added to bikes, scooters and motorcycles conspicuity markings can help increase the visibility of these vulnerable road users.
Discover more about our road sign and road marking solutions
Highly visible, retroreflective road signs and road markings can drastically improve road safety in urban areas, especially at dark or during wet weather conditions.
-
Our high-performance markings — including wet retroreflective pavement markings and temporary tapes — help communicate important navigational information and guidance to drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, whilst minimizing traffic disruptions.
-
3M MCS systems supporting EN and ASTM regulations will provide durable and reliable signs for urban applications.
Want to talk to a 3M expert for more information?
-
We are here to help!
Our team of experts are available to support you and to help you identify the right products for your specific needs.By providing your contact details below we will be able to match you with the right experts in our team to cover your specific needs.
Our apologies.
An error has occurred while submitting. Please try again later
Thank you.
Your form was submitted successfully
Didn't find what you were looking for?
-
We are here to help! Get in touch with our road safety experts for further information on our products and solutions.
-
Looking for a 3M traffic sign converter or road marking applicator? Use our locator tool to find one close to you.
-
Want to explore our other road safety products and solutions?
-
References
- ETSC https://etsc.eu/wp-content/uploads/PIN-FLASH_34.pdf (PDF, 2.47 MB)
- The European Road Safety Observatory (ERSO) gathers harmonised specialist information on road safety practices and policy in European countries.
Evidenced-based approaches lie at the heart of the most successful road safety polices – backed up by accident and other road safety data. ERSO collects a range of information types. These include a series of data protocols and collection methodologies, national and in-depth accident data, exposure data and safety performance indicators. - ETSC - European Transport Safety Council - is a Brussels-based independent non-profit making organisation dedicated to reducing the numbers of deaths and injuries in transport in Europe.
Founded in 1993, ETSC provides an impartial source of expert advice on transport safety matters to the European Commission, the European Parliament, and national governments. It maintains its independence through funding from a variety of sources including membership subscriptions, the European Commission, and public and private sector support for various activities.
