Differential surfacing, particularly coloured ones, have been used more and more on the road network in a variety of situations. New materials have allowed more brightly coloured surfacing to be achieved and thin surfacing allowing colour to be applied to existing surfaces. The purpose of this study, undertaken by Thorburn Colquhoun on behalf of the Highways Agency, was to identify existing situations where colour has been used, to evaluate potential benefits in terms of operation and safety, and to establish basic guidelines for its use in road layout. The study first sought to identify (non-traffic calming) situations where coloured surfacing has already been used by means of a survey of all local highway authorities in the UK. Further information on safety was sought for sites already identified, together with details of any new sites to be implemented during the study period. This paper describes the results of the questionnaire survey and site monitoring by illustrating the types of locations where coloured surfacing has already been used and the benefits (where possible) of such measures. A strategy is proposed for the future use of colour in road layout based upon the purpose to which it is used.
Abstract