3D crosswalks in Waterloo use optical illusions to make drivers slow down

If you happen to be at the Boardwalk shopping plaza in Waterloo, you may notice something new: several 3D crosswalkspainted around the plaza's medical centre.

Two 3D crosswalks were painted over the Victoria Day long weekendon the south side of the medical centre, in hopes ofcatching drivers' attention. Crews used four differentcolours of paint to give the optical illusion that the crosswalk is floating as drivers approach.

Boardwalk staff wanted to create a solution that didn't involve adding more signs to remind drivers to slow down.

"Typically, these [crosswalks] are template pavement stripes, but we wanted to implement something unique with the patient in mind," Cynthia Voisin, project coordinator of the medical centre at the Boardwalk said in release.

The plaza sees more than 2,000 visitorsdaily, Voisin said. Itis also located near a busy bus terminal.

Cities like Montrealand countries such asFrance and Germany have also implemented 3D crosswalks on city roads to help alert drivers.