Road murals are a design intervention that offer many simultaneous benefits. They slow traffic and increase road safety, build community participation, show neighbourhood character and creativity, and are cost effective for cities to implement. I have not heard of any other traffic calming measures that benefit communities during the process of creation all the way through the end result.
Road murals are typically a grassroots effort, though cities are increasingly supporting their use. Most cities have a permit process (see Victoria Mural guide) and some even offer funding and staff support (like Halifax). The first road murals were started by a group of concerned neighbours in Portland, beginning a local trend and love for the projects. Residents in Portland, St. Petersburg Florida and other cities report a noticeable positive change in traffic speed and behaviour. Most murals appear at intersections, though there are some along bike paths and lanes (like in Montreal).
Traffic intervention styles range from increasing infrastructure (speed bumps) to decreasing typical barriers (like woonerf streets). One school of thought for road design believes that “you have to create an environment where drivers want to slow down — often by eliminating the hard barriers between cars and pedestrians” (Anderson, 2018). Following this logic, drivers will slow down not only because of their increased awareness of human activity, but hopefully to admire the mural.
Road murals provide the opportunity for the community to come together and create something beautiful that has also been shown to increase safety for cyclists and pedestrians and slow vehicle traffic. What's not to love?
Infographic Design by Mikaila Montgomery 2020
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