Zebra crossing is one form of pedestrian crossing that is both easy and cheap to implement, but its effectiveness varies. Sometimes the alternating dark and light stripes (typically, white against the black of the tarmac) are not immediately eye catching, which is probably why in countries like Singapore, additional blinking lights are installed at both end of the crossing in some locations. So, when we first stumble upon the 3D Zebra Stripe Crosswalk In Ísafjörður Iceland, my immediate thought was: motorists will for sure notice it! I mean, just look at it. How can they not?
What the town of quiet fishing town of Ísafjörður did was, instead of the usual 2D variety, the traditional zebra stripes are given some ‘dimension’ with shadows and shading to create a 3D effect that makes it pop. And it does really pop. This one-of-a-kind ‘3D’ zebra crossing was commissioned by Ísafjörður city’s environmental commissioner Ralf Trylla and painted by street painting firm Vegmálun GÍH with the hope of it serving as an artwork and as a stronger visual cue to motorist approaching the crosswalk.
The story goes that the speed limit of 30 km/h (18.6 mph) for the narrow streets are considered too high and hence, ideas were thrown around on how to keep it down. There is only one such crossing in Ísafjörður for now, but if the pilot proves to be effective, then the municipal council may consider implementing it in the rest of the city. Apparently, the 3D Zebra Stripe Crosswalk In Ísafjörður Iceland is not the first. Similar crosswalks can be found in Russia, India and China.
Images: Gústi Productions.
Animated GIF and source: Colossal.
