A number of cities around the globe are testing 3D crosswalks in order to slow traffic

An interesting technique that aims to make the streets safer, even though no study to check whether it actually reduces accidents has yet been conducted

An interesting technique that aims to make the streets safer, even though no study to check whether it actually reduces accidents has yet been conducted

3D pedestrian zebra crossings create an optical illusion that makes it appear as though obstacles are hovering above ground and obstructing the road. This should make drivers slow down before driving over them, reducing the risk of serious accidents in pedestrianized areas. The experimental practise was first tried out in New Delhi, India last year and is now being tested in several countries including South Africa, Britain, US, China, Kyrgyzstan, New Zealand, Iceland (in the small fishing village of Ísafjörður) and most recently in the city of Naousa in Greece

The visual effect is striking, as the eye-popping illusion shifts depending on your perspective. From the air, the white stripes jump up, making them appear as a column of walls. At ground level though, the bars seem to hover just above the ground.

3D crosswalk inÍsafjörður, Iceland

3D crosswalk in Ísafjörður, Iceland

3D crosswalk in Ísafjörður, Iceland

3D crosswalk in Naousa, Greece