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Textured pavement
Textured pavement is a roadway material that tends to slow vehicle movement with its raised and slightly rough surface. Examples include brick and stamped asphalt. It can serve the same purpose as
speed humps
, slowing traffic by adding raised sections to the street.
Textured pavement has been successfully applied at crosswalks to distinguish the pedestrian zone. It can also be used as a
traffic calming
technique to increase safety and encourage walking in residential or commercial areas. For example, shared space zones may cover entire streets with a textured surface to slow motorists and pedestrians. When applied to intersections only, the pavement demands caution from drivers, particularly because it can be slippery in wet or wintry weather [1].
The Federal Highway Administration does not recommend wide use of textured pavement for traffic calming because it may cause problems for disabled persons [2]. However, such surfaces can be modified to accommodate wheelchairs.
Pavement Types
Stamped Asphalt (also known as patterned pavement). This surface is created by stamping a pattern into asphalt or concrete. The patterned surface can then be painted red to resemble bricks.
Belgian Block refers to rectangular or cubical cut stones (any type) used for paving. Popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, this stone surface is very durable and provides better traction than brick in wet or wintry weather. Many historic belgian block streets have been paved over with asphalt, but some notable examples remain, including Gansevoort Plaza in New York City (pictured at right). Examples of newly laid Belgian block include Monmouth Street in London’s
Seven Dials
neighborhood.
Brick. Brick streets have an historic feel and can add character to a shopping district, as well as provide
traffic calming
benefits. The trend in brick streets is growing, as asphalt is removed to reveal vintage brick pavers underneath [3]. Some communities have even demanded brick paving along residential streets after recognizing the aesthetic and safety benefits of this surface [3].
Cobblestone. Rounded stones set in a base of sand or cement were typically used on older streets (before the automobile) because they afforded horses a good grip [4]. Materials for cobblestone streets were often easily gathered from nearby streams and riverbanks. Belgian block and brick surfaces are sometimes mistakenly referred to as “cobblestone”.
ALSO ON THE LIVABLE STREETS NETWORK
REFERENCES
Each source is referred to by the same number every time it is cited. Please keep citation style consistent.
[1] Slippery When Charming. Times Union, October 23, 2003. Via Planetizen.
[2] Traffic Calming (pdf). Federal Highway Administration.
[3] Schwartz, Emma. Bricks come back to city streets. USA Today. July 31, 2003.
[4] Cobblestone. Wikipedia.
PICTURE REFERENCES
Pictures are cited in the order they appear above. Please keep citation style consistent.
[1] Brick crosswalk in Milwaukee, WI. Photo by Annie Lux via the Pedestrian and Bicycle Image Library.
[2] Stamped and colored asphalt, El Cajon, CA. Photo by San Diego Association of Governments
[3] Meat Packing District (Gansevoort Plaza.) Photo by Team "Beast" via the Wikis Take Manhattan Contest, Creative Commons.
[4] Cobblestone street, Florida. Photo courtesy Church of the Brethren Network.
FURTHER READING
- Stamped Asphalt. Pattern Paving Products.
KEYWORDS
pavement, pavers, traffic calming, intersection, crosswalk, raised crosswalk, belgian block, pedestrians
